Leroy H. (Roy) Whipple, age 86, of 7888 Clemens Road, Union City, died Sunday, December 9, 2012 at the Pennsylvania Soldiers and Sailors Home where he had resided since July. Born in Erie on June 29, 1926, Leroy was the son of the late Henry Ebenezer Whipple and Hazel Marie Smith Whipple.
After graduating from Central Tech High School in 1944, Roy entered the United States Navy and served as a naval aviator during the last year of World War II. He returned home, married Doris Millicent (Millie) McKay on July 26, 1947, and began working in the construction trade for various employers. Roy was the first hired employee of Hardner and Doyle Construction. He worked for them for over 25 years until 1982, when he began employment with Carlson-Harris Construction building hospitals throughout the South. He retired in 1994.
Roy had a passion for playing golf, and he enjoyed bowling and participating in a Waterford bowling league, playing cards and hunting. He was a member of the Local Carpenter’s Union, and after his retirement, he got involved with collecting and selling antiques.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Millie Whipple on May 22, 2008; a sister, Elaine Lewis; and a son-in-law, Robert Bailey.
Family members include three children: Larry L. Whipple and his wife, Sandra, of Union City, Linda C. Bailey of Erie, and Judy M. Wheeler and her husband, Scot, of Canton, MO; five grandchildren: Bryan Whipple (Rachel), Ryan Bailey (Carrie), Matthew Bailey, Kyle Beth Wisniewski (Jeff), and Emily Wheeler; six great-grandchildren: Ellie, Eryn, Zachary, Avery, Tyler, and Malia; and a brother, Norman Whipple and his wife, Kathie, of Erie.
Friends may call at the Van Matre Funeral Home, 105 Walnut Street, Waterford on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. The funeral service will be there Thursday at 11:00 a.m. officiated by Pastor Jerry Alsdorf of Mount Pleasant Chapel. Burial with military honors will be at Waterford Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the special caregivers at the Soldiers and Sailor Home, and suggests that memorial donations be made there.
Dot and I were very saddened to hear of Uncle Roy’s passing. Be assured that all our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family there.
Wish we could be there in person during this time, but circumstances here prevent our making the trip.
All our love,
Jim and Dottie Barton and family
Cincinnati, Ohio