Master Sergeant Bert Shipley, 90, passed away peacefully at the family home in Orange Park, Florida on May 22, 2020. He was a twenty-year decorated veteran of the United States Air Force including serving in the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Sergeant Shipley was born June 17, 1929 in Rock Island, Illinois, to his parents Hubert C. Shipley and Mildred Purman Shipley. He graduated from Rock Island High School in 1947 and joined the United States Air Force in 1948.
Bert met and married the love of his life Emma Christine Holtz Shipley and they have lovingly celebrated 65 years of marriage.
He attended Augustana College in Rock Island and graduated from the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, Florida. He served on multiple air bases as an air traffic control instructor. While at Keesler Air Force Base, he wrote the class training manual. Following his Air Force career, he worked for the civil service at Cecil Field Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida for 30 years. As a dedicated career man, he later began and operated his own business, the All Rite Traffic School.
Bert was a devoted and loving husband, father, and proud veteran. He is survived by his wife, Emma Christine Holtz Shipley; their children: Dr. Dawn Basinger (Ricky), Ruston, Louisiana; Bert S. Shipley (Lynn), Fleming Island, Florida; and Diane Kite (Denny Hilliard) of Green Cove Springs, Florida; their seven grandchildren: Eddie Basinger (Tiffani), Casey McCaa (Rob), Chad Kite, Chelsa Gantea (Johnny), Margaret Wright (Doug), Eric Shipley (Morgan) and Michael Hilliard; and seven great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Dr. Richard Moore for his compassionate attention and professional care. Bert and Chris considered him family -- an honorary grandson.
A celebration of Bert’s life will be held at 2 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2020 at HARDAGE-GIDDENS HOLLY HILL FUNERAL HOME, 3601 Old Jennings Road, Middleburg, FL with Chaplin Robert Lucas officiating. Burial will follow in Holly Hill Memorial Park with military honors. Please post words of comfort at www.hollyhillfunerals.com.
