Obituaries

Benjamin Harrison Shipley

Photo of Benjamin Harrison Shipley
Benjamin Harrison "Harry" Shipley, Jr., 96, of Fort Smith, passed away on March 24, 2018, in Fort Smith. He was born on March 12, 1922, in Fort Smith, to Benjamin Harrison Shipley and Maud Curtis Shipley. He was a graduate of Fort Smith High School class of 1939, where he served as Student Body President. He graduated from the University of Arkansas in 1943, with a BSBA, and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) Fraternity and Student Commander of the Army ROTC. He served in the U.S. Army as a 2nd Lieutenant in Reconnaissance and Intelligence during World War II. He participated in the European Theater, was injured near Auchen, Germany, in the Battle of the Siegfried Line, and received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Following the war, he graduated from the American Institute of Baking in Chicago, Ill. He joined Shipley Baking Company in 1945 with his father, and worked 54 years from 1945-1996, working also with his brother Curtis Shipley and sons, Ben and Frank Shipley. He retired in 1996 as Chairman of the Board after the sale of the bakery to Flowers Foods. He loved his church family and was a lifetime member of First United Methodist Church, serving as an usher and on various committees. He was a proud Eagle Scout, a loving husband, and father to his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He is survived by his children, Ben and wife Lane Shipley of Fort Smith, Frank and wife Mary Shipley of Crossville, Tenn., and daughter, Heather and husband Todd Longfellow of Rockwall, Texas; sister, Sally Bowers of Van Buren, Ark.; brother, Curtis and wife Jane Shipley of Fayetteville, Ark.; six grandchildren, Meg and husband Tommy McCrory of Dallas, Texas., Meredith and husband Eric Johnston of Kingwood, Texas, Reid and wife Margo Shipley of Tulsa, Okla., Caroline and husband Aaron Dale of Nashville, Tenn., Benjamin Shipley of Dallas, Texas, and George Vent, III, of Rockwall, Texas; one step-grandson, Cameron Longfellow of Dallas, Texas; great-grandchildren, Parker, Reagan, Hawkins, and Anna Margaret; and his special beloved friend, Nancy Wenderoth. He was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Janis Hawkins Shipley, and his second wife Mary Couch Shipley; sister Juda Holder and her husband Jimmy Holder; and brother-in-law Don Bowers. Funeral service will be held on Thursday, March 28, 2018 at 11:30 a.m. in the First United Methodist Church, with burial to follow at 1 p.m. in the U.S. National Cemetery of Fort Smith, all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home. The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Wednesday evening from 5-7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 N. 15th, Fort Smith, Ark. 72901, or Methodist Village, 7811 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, Ark. 72903. To sign an online guestbook, please visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com.

Published March 27, 2018

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