Bill Shipman, 89, of 23 Providence Court, Groton, passed away peacefully at L & M Hospital on July 8, 2008.
Bill was born in Whiteville, North Carolina on June 11, 1919.
He was married to Lucille (Preziosi) Shipman of Queens, New York for 62 years. Lucille predeceased him in 2003. Bill is survived by son, William L. Shipman and daughter-in-law Donna of Groton, grandson William Shipman, great-grandsons Paul Jr. and William III of San Diego, granddaughter Deanna and great-granddaughter Jacqueline of Groton, son Thomas Shipman and partner Kate MacDonald of Ledyard, brother Francis Shipman of South Carolina and sister, Dorothy Baldwin of North Carolina.
Bill worked on the family tobacco farm in North Carolina until the outbreak of World War II at which time he joined the Navy. He first came to Groton to attend submarine school and decided this is where he would settle. During the war he served on both surface craft and submarines seeing action in the Pacific Theater. Bill stayed twenty years in the Navy reaching the rank of Chief Warrant Officer, he was very proud of his naval career and the fact that her was a “shoeless farmboy” who worked his way up through the ranks, received his commission and could eat in the Wardroom with the brass.
After retiring from the Navy in 1961, Bill worked for the Supervisor of Shipbuilding at Electric Boat for two years then was hired by EB to help develop EB’s first Quality Assurance Program. He remained at Electric Boat for 26 years where he was in charge of the department’s source inspectors. Bill travelled all over North America for EB assuring the parts installed in the subs were exactly as specified by the Navy. His reputation for hard work, attention to detail, and loyalty to those who would eventually sail in those subs became legendary. He was well respected by those that worked for him and those he worked for.
During Bill’s employment at EB, he formed Shipco Associates, a real estate development company, buying and renovating property in the Groton area which he continued to run into his eighties. Working with his wife and two sons, the company grew, greatly improving the appearance of property they owned, the company continues to grow today.
Bill was also a familiar face on the political scene both in Ledyard (having lived in Gales Ferry for over 30 years) and in Groton where his business was located, and where he moved in 2004. He was proud to call Senators, Representatives, Attorneys General, Judges, Mayors, and Department heads among his many friends.
One of Bill’s great loves was the outdoors. He instilled this love of hunting and fishing in his two sons along with any kid in the neighborhood who wanted to go along. Due to his southern heritage, one of his favorite pastimes was raccoon hunting. Bill bred World-Class Treeing Walker hounds winning several state titles and many friends while campaigning his hounds from Maine to the Carolinas. He earned respect far and wide for his honesty and “love of the game”. Bill was also a collector and admirer of fine shotguns and was well known at many auction houses, vintage shoots, and rod & gun clubs. He was a charter member of the Ledyard Sportsman Club.
Bill will be remembered for his great smile, love of a good story, his positive outlook, and “can do-make it happen” attitude. He was always generous and always willing to help anyone willing to work. He will be sadly missed by the many, many lives he touched.
Bill’s family will greet relatives and friends at The Dinoto Funeral home, 17 Pearl Street, Historic downtown Mystic on Monday from 5-7pm. A Graveside Funeral Service with military honors will be conducted at Avery Stoddard Cemetery, Rte. 214, Ledyard on Tuesday at 12noon. The Rev. Doretta M. Colburn will officiate. (Guests are asked to arrive at the cemetery between 11:30-11:45am).
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the American Heart Assoc., 5 Brookside Drive, Wallingford CT 06492 (https://donate.americanheart.org).
To share a message of remembrance or condolence with Bill’s family, please click the link below.
Any and all floral tributes should be delivered to our flower room by 12noon on Monday.