William Stephen Pipas died Wednesday, March 13, 2019, in Mobile, AL.
A memorial service was held Monday, June 24, at Dauphin Way United Methodist Church in Mobile, AL.
Mr. Pipas was born Dec. 26, 1924, in Nokomis, to Michael and Anna (Fontilla) Pipas. He married his high school sweetheart, Jean Moore on July 12, 1946, in Hillsboro, and she survives.
After graduating high school in 1942, where he was class president and a star athlete, he entered Carthage College on a dual football/basketball scholarship.
In 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served until 1946, following an honorable discharge at the end of World War II.
He and his wife moved to Blacksburg, VA, where he attended Virginia Polytechnical Institute on a scholarship, graduating with an electrical engineering degree in 1950.
He spent the next 20 years with the railroad, working first with the Illinois Central and then the GM&O. He and his wife moved to Mobile, AL, in 1964, where he served as general superintendent until it merged with the Illinois Central.
In 1973, he became the director of development at the University of South Alabama and retired in 1990.
Known affectionately and respectfully to everyone as "Bill," he was a member of the Country Club of Mobile, AL, Rotary Club, the Masons, a Mystic Society, Dauphin Way United Methodist Church and several honorary societies. He had a robust love for life and enjoyed playing tennis, golf, bridge and traveling with family and friends. He will always be remembered for his storytelling, song writing and singing, but mostly for graciously entertaining one and all with his wife, Jean. His heartfelt message was "Be kind to people."
In addition to his wife of 73 years, he is survived by children, Dr. James Moore (Susie) Pipas, William Mark Pipas and Jeanie (Gerard) Weinacker; five grandchildren, Hallie Pipas Randolph, Dr. William Chason (Abby) Weinacker, Grafton Moore (Sarah) Weinacker, Benton Gerard Weinacker and Elizabeth Casimir Weinacker; two great-grandchildren, James Randolph and Jonathan Randolph; nieces and nephew; and wonderful, loving neighbors, Kim and Glenda Lea, and Pat, Kelly, Sam and Emme McPhillips.
Memorials may be made to Dauphin Way United Methodist Church, 1507 Dauphin St., Mobile, AL 36604.
