Dr. William Paul Shipp Sr.

“There is nothing that can happen to us on this earth that, with God’s help, we can’t get through.” Dr. William Paul Shipp, Sr., known as Bill or “Doc” to family, friends, and students, passed away peacefully at Transitions LifeCare Hospice Home on Wednesday, June 9, 2021. Bill was born on November 20, 1940, in Clinton, NC, to Clarence Fowler Shipp, Sr., and Bettie Ruth Autry Shipp.

Bill graduated from Clinton High School in 1958 and was one of seven men who notoriously dubbed themselves the “Clinton Gang”. Shenanigans that began in high school continued as these seven men married amazing women—and then carried on with their high-jinx through their “senior citizen” years. Bill loved these men like brothers—Dallas Hollingsworth, Wade Hargrove, E.C. Newman, Gene Musselwhite, Jones Lockerman, and John Packer.

After graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill with his bachelor’s degree, Masters in the Art of Teaching, and doctorate of education, Bill worked at UNC-Asheville before deciding that he could be a better professor of education if he had some real-world experience. Leaving the mountains for eastern NC in 1973, Bill was the principal of Plymouth High School for several years before heading to Fayetteville in 1977 to open the new Westover High School. Bill’s love for high school students, his entire staff, and the Westover community ran deep. After retiring as Westover’s founding principal in 2001, Bill and Mary moved to Cary to be closer to their children and grandchildren. For his remaining years, he attended countless ball games, church programs, piano recitals, and graduations with and for his family. About himself, Bill has written, “When I check out forever, kick the bucket, or take the next bus out, I hope I’ll be remembered as a loving son and brother, a loving husband, father, and grandfather, and for being the founding principal of Westover High School!”

Bill leaves behind his wife of 58 years, Mary Elizabeth Pittard Shipp; his son, William Paul Shipp, Jr. (Billy) and daughter-in-law, Sarah Bullard Shipp; his daughter, Bettie Shipp Rabb, and son-in-law Mike Rabb; his grandchildren, Emily, Will, Laura, and John Rabb; his beloved sister, Mary Jewel Shipp Robinson, and brother-in-law, Bill Robinson; his sister-in-law, Jane Bond Shipp; his nieces and nephews, Natalyn Shipp Webster, Kande Shipp Collins, David Robinson, Brian Robinson, Leslie Matthews Doyle, and Mark Matthews. He was a beloved cousin on both sides of his family and enjoyed being the undisputed “best looking cousin”! He was predeceased in death by his older brother, Clarence Fowler (C.F.) Shipp, Jr.; his father, Clarence Fowler Shipp, Sr.; his mother, Bettie Ruth Autry Shipp; and his beloved Flora Ann (Rae) Williams.

Visitation will be held at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home, 200 SE Maynard Road, Cary, on Monday, June 14th, from 5pm to 7pm. Funeral services will be held at Hayes Barton Baptist Church, 1800 Glenwood Avenue, Raleigh, on Tuesday, June 15th, at 11am. Graveside service will follow the funeral at Springvale Cemetery in Clinton, NC.