William Floyd Tripp Jr.

Age 96 of Jackson, passed away September 26, 2016. He was born February 1, 1920 to William and Laura (Dolloway) Tripp in Battle Creek, MI. He married Norma Dalton on April 12, 1941. Preceded in death by his wife of over 50 years, Norma; a son, John Richard; daughter, Norma Jean; great grandchild, Blake Trudell; parents, William and Laura; father and mother-in-law, Harold and Freda (Kellogg) Dalton; brothers, Don, John, Clarence, Roger, Frank; sisters, Leona, Erma, Betty, Laura, and Irene; several nieces and nephews. He is survived by one brother, Philip Tripp; sisters-in-law, Dixie and Janice Tripp; children, Carla, William III (Louise), Robert (Rose), Thomas (Christy), Timothy (Cathy), Rohn (Cyndi), Rhosan (David Trudel II), Craig, Mary (Brian) Wood, and Ronda. William leaves behind a legacy of family in that he is also survived by over 200 grandchildren, great, and great-great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. William lived a full life, serving in WWII, the Pacific Theater, from 1944-46. He worked as a hammer operator at Pittsburg Forging for 40 years. Served as a Union Representative for the United Workers of America for many years. He worked in excavation for many years, owning and operating Tripp’s Trucking, selling gravel and dirt to the state when the highways came through in the 50’s. He spent many years working in sanitation for Jim Wells. He participated in auto racing, a love he shared with his family- teaching them the value of hard work, through cleaning Jackson Motor Speedway each week. He started a Jackson Citizen paper route with his oldest son William that continued for over 45 years, teaching all his children the art of entrepreneurship at a young age. He served as Boy Scouts leader for many years, served on Northwest High schools first school board. He helped build the playgrounds, ball diamonds, and track at NW schools. He was known as the governor of Parnell Rd, which he hailed proudly, given the title by the former township supervisor, Robert McClain. He served on the board of the Disabled American Veterans for many years, in his most recent capacity as chaplain. He was a member of First Church of God, and held a certificate from Citizen Patriots 50 Golden Wedding Anniversary Award. Our father was a hero; he worked with the boy scouts placing flags in the graves for over 50 years; a task he began as a child with his own father. Our father was a patriotic citizen, teaching his family about service to God and Country by the way he lived. He was the Grand Marshall in The Rose Parade, an honor he was proud of. He served as the Grand Marshall for the Tompkins Freedom Festival. A celebration of his life will be held at New Horizons Community Church 4300 Lansing Ave. Jackson, Monday, October 3, 2016 at 11:00 A.M. Burial Draper Cemetery. Visitation at the funeral home on Sunday from 2-6 P.M. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the William F. Tripp Jr. Benevolence Fund at American 1 Credit Union.

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Chas. J. Burden & Son Funeral Home

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