Benjamin Harrison “Harry” Shipley, Jr., 96, of Fort Smith, passed away March 24, 2018 in Fort Smith. He was born 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, Illinois. 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 Flower Foods. He was a member of the Noon Exchange Club for seventy years.
Harry 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, TN; and daughter, Heather and husband Todd Longfellow of Rockwall, TX; sister, Sally Bowers of Van Buren, AR; brother, Curtis and wife Jane Shipley of Fayetteville, AR; six grandchildren, Meg and husband Tommy McCrory of Dallas, TX, Meredith and husband Eric Johnston of Kingwood, TX, Reid and wife Margo Shipley of Tulsa, OK, Caroline and husband Aaron Dale of Nashville, TN, Benjamin Shipley of Dallas, TX, and George Vent, III of Rockwall, TX; one step grandson, Cameron Longfellow of Dallas, TX; 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 Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 11:30 AM in the First United Methodist Church with burial to follow at 1:00 PM in the U.S. National Cemetery of Fort Smith all under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.
Pallbearers will be his grandchildren
Honorary Pallbearers will be members of the Noon Exchange Club
The family will greet friends at Edwards Funeral Home on Wednesday evening form 5-7 PM.
In lieu of flowers, Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, 200 North 15th Street, Fort Smith, AR 72901 or Methodist Village, 7811 Euper Lane, Fort Smith, AR 72903.
To sign an online guestbook visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com
