Andrew Augustus Sipe

Gastonia – Andrew Augustus (Bill) Sipe, 85 passed away peacefully from this life on Saturday, April 23, 2011, surrounded by his family and dear friends at Gaston Memorial Hospital. He was born on August 5, 1925, the son of the late William David Sipe and Vera Black Sipe. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Doris Polk Sipe, brothers Frank and Carroll (Dutch) Sipe, and son-in-law Ronnie William Canipe, Sr.

He leaves to mourn his passing, 2 sons, Michael Leroy Sipe and wife Karen, Stanley, NC, William David (Billy) Sipe and wife Sandy, Gastonia, daughter Carolyn Canipe Gilley and husband Michael, Gastonia, NC, brother Jack Sipe, grandsons, Ronnie Canipe Jr., Shane Canipe, Robert Sipe, Jason Sipe, granddaughter Nikki Sipe, 6 great grandchildren, special friends Pastor Robin Harris and Harmon Harden, and his beloved church family at Faith Baptist Church in Gastonia.

Mr. Sipe was a decorated veteran of WWII, serving in the US Navy in the South Pacific on the USS Wisconsin. He started his pastoring career at Midway Baptist Church and served for 22 years at Springfield Baptist Church, and most recently as a deacon and member of Faith Baptist Church in Gastonia, NC.

A service to celebrate the life of Mr. Sipe, will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at the Colonial Chapel of Carothers Funeral Home in Gastonia with Pastor Robin Harris officiating.

Burial will follow the service at Gaston Memorial Park with full military honors provided by the WWII Last Man Club of Gaston County.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at Carothers Funeral Home in Gastonia and one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

Mr. Sipe’s family would like to thank the nurses at Post Intensive Care Unit at Gaston Memorial Hospital for their compassionate care.

Memorials may be made to Faith Baptist Church, 1102 Walnut Avenue, Gastonia, NC 28052

Condolences may be made online at www.carothersfuneralhomegastonia.com

Carothers Funeral Home, Gastonia is serving the Sipe family