William Thomas Lipsey Jr. passed away peacefully at his home during the early hours of Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021. He was 83 years old. William was born the first child of W.T. and Eleanor Mincher Lipsey in Hattiesburg, on Jan. 9, 1938.

The proud parents brought him home to Prentiss, where he would be raised.

William attended Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University.

At age 22 he fell in love with Lady June Speights Lipsey and made her his “Bride” on July 30, 1960. They would build a life together for the next 61 years. William resided in Prentiss, until 1971 when he moved one of the family’s cotton gins to Indianola, where he lived out the remainder of his life.

During his lifetime William served in the National Guard as a 1st Lt. He was an active member of Prentiss Baptist church and First Baptist Church of Indianola. He taught Sunday School, served as a deacon and Chairman of the Deacons. He was the past president of The Prentiss Chamber of Commerce and presided over the integration of the town’s Christmas parade. He was also instrumental in bringing the airport to the Town of Prentiss. 

William grew up around cotton and cotton gins. He ran his own cotton gin until 1995 and invented new machinery to help in the composting of gin trash. He was trusted and respected as one of the leading experts in the gin industry, and continued to work making the industry better through Lipsey Gin Tech, a family business he ran with his son.

William loved all of God’s creations, fishing, building, hard work, singing off key, and telling others about Jesus. He was loved by his employees and believed that any man should be given the chance to do good. He often offered his home to those less fortunate who needed a place to stay. Wherever heaven is, his family is certain that William is there in the sunshine, smiling on a boat.

William was preceded in death by his father, W.T. Lipsey, his mother, Eleanor Mincher Lipsey, and younger brother Henry Mincher Lipsey.

William is survived by his wife, Lady June Speights Lipsey and four children, Leah Hinton (Billy) of Starkville, Nan Jones (Kerry) of Birmingham, Alabama, Elise Callaway (Jimmy) of Gulf Shores, Alabama and Bill Lipsey (Dana) of Indianola, . He had five grandchildren, Coates Hinton, Lydia Hinton, Lillian Jones, Joseph Callaway (CTR2, USN-Stationed in Japan), Elizabeth Callaway, Wyatt Lipsey, Hank Lipsey and Eli Lipsey. He also leaves behind a sister Auris Elaine Lipsey Lovvorn (Bob). 

Services were held at Saulters-Moore Funeral Home in Prentiss, on Saturday Oct. 2; visitation at 1 p.m. and the funeral following at 2 p.m.

There was also a visitation at the family’s home at 207 East Percy Street in Indianola on Thursday Sept. 30 from 5:30-7:00.

Memorials can be made to Harvest Foundation, PO Box 124, Vanduser, MO 63784. Harvest Foundation helps young men 16-20 who have lost their way.

Saulters Moore Funeral Home of Prentiss, was in charge of arrangements.

Condolences and an online guest registry are available at www.saultersmoorefuneralhome.com.