Billy Shipp, age 82, of Miles City.

Billy “Bill” Marvin Shipp passed away at the age of 82 on September 30, 2021, at his home in Miles City.

Billy was born on May 18,1939 in Lovell, Wyo. to Nita Marchant and Lemuel Houston Shipp.  The marriage of Nita and Lemuel was very brief and when it ended Nita took full custody of Bill.  Throughout Bill’s life Nita was married 3 more times, her 4th marriage to Harold Smith. The 4th marriage is how most of us remember Grandma Nita Smith, married to Harold Smith.  Bill didn’t know about his dad for the first 25 years of his life.  Lemuel tried but Nita (Bill’s mom) wouldn’t allow it. Bill’s childhood was hard, scary at times and very unstable. He did gain one half-brother from these marriages, Harold Claire Dorn “Pinky”.   Bill’s mom was forever staying, going, moving in, and moving out of homes, it became their way of life.  While growing up Bill could always count on his grandparents (Henry) and they helped raise him into the good man that he became.  Nita’s 3^rd husband, Whitey Bean, was more stable and even wanted Bill to take his last name.  It never became official, but he went by and graduated from Lovell Wyoming High School as Billy Marvin Bean.  Bill was an athletic, tall, dark, and handsome man who was the best dressed and best dancer of his class.  He was known to put his heart into everything that he took on and always strived forward.  Doctrine Croft saw his potential and opened many doors of opportunities for Bill and his future.  He offered him money to go on a mission or a scholarship for college baseball.  God had other plans… Bill did go to college for a year.  While attending college Bill fell in love with that blue-eyed girl Neva Jean Shores.

Bill and Neva were married June 27th,1957 in Greyball, Wyo.  The very young newlyweds first lived in Billings, MT and then moved to Williston, ND for a management position of a JCPenney’s Store.  This is where they began building their family.  First born was a Son-Anthony Shores (Tony) 16 months later a Daughter-Tammy Jean. Bill and Neva with their 2 kids moved to Miles City, MT where Bill would the run Anthony’s Clothing store.  Again 16 months apart their 3rd Baby born, another Son-Bradley Marvin.

At the age of 25 Bill got to meet his birth father Lemuel Houston Shipp married to Charlotte Shipp who gave Bill 4 half-sisters (Pat Hewitt, Dixie Evatt, Delma Claudine Stone and Brenda Buck).  The sisters absolutely adored how handsome Billy was because he looked identical to their daddy.  Bill thought the world of his sisters too.  He also loved to brag about his one sister Pat Hewitt-mother of Jennifer Love Hewitt.

The Shipp’s Loved Miles City but another management job with Anthony’s Store moved them to Forsyth, MT this is where their 4th baby born, a Son- Bruce Craig. The kids are growing up fast 8 years later Bill still managing Anthony’s but back in Miles City, the 5th baby born, a Daughter-Tonya (Precious). After Tonya was born Anthony’s moved the Shipp’s to Lander, Wyoming and then finally back to Miles City the place the Shipp’s called home 2714 Pleasant. After 15 years with Anthony’s Bill took a management position with Midland Inc. only lasting 71/2 years, he took a job at Pine Hills.  Bill worked at Pine Hills for 17 years.  He loved this position as it allowed him to help troubled boys.  He retired from Pine Hills at the age of 62.  After retiring Bill worked part time at Little Caesar’s Pizza for his son Bradley, doing their books. This was extra special for both Bill and Bradley. Bill worked for him until moving to Laurel, MT.  In 2009 Bill worked his last job at Town & Country Gas Station.  He worked for Cathy Culp (Boss Daughter).

When Bill mixed talent with practice he could nail a skill perfectly.  If there was a goal to reach, Bill would do everything in his power to reach that goal.  A couple of perfect examples:  In golf he achieved that coveted hole in one and in bowling he achieved the perfect 300.  It didn’t matter what the sport was, Bill loved them all.  When he wasn’t playing the sport, he was watching something sports related or learning all the ins and outs of each sport. Bill’s father wasn’t there to teach him about family, sports, and work ethics.  Bill wanted his children’s life to be different and that it was!  The Shipp’s summer weekends were usually spent at the softball park with friends and family.  Their weekends built friendships to last a lifetime.  Bill was either coaching, umpiring, pitching, and sometimes just watching other teams play the game.  Bill had the privilege of coaching critiquing, and eventually playing on a softball team with his 3 sons, 1 son-in-law and 1 brother-in-law.  Bill pitched men’s softball for 33 years and retired from it at the age of 50.  One of Bill’s Favorite Brag Moments was when he was the coach for The Miles City Babe Ruth baseball team that he coached all the way to state a year or two.  He coached The Babe Ruth team for about 5 years which allowed him to coach his nephew (Robbie Shores) and eventually even his first grandson (Branden Watts).  He continued to coach not only baseball but other sports as well, to his children and many others thru the years just because he loved it so much. While earning a little extra money Bill also got to enjoy his sports.  He earned extra money thru umpiring baseball, softball, and officiating football.  He was an official of the Montana High School Association for football for 15 years.

One of Bill’s finest qualities was his loyalty to his favorite teams.  The Cleveland Browns were his all-time favorite pro-football team, Cleveland Indians were his favorite baseball team, and the Celtics were his favorite basketball team (being Larry Bird’s biggest fan!)  His favorite college team were the MSU Bobcats “GO CATS!”  Now high school teams all depended on where they were living and who was playing.  If Bill had a family member on the court or in the field all the people sitting next to him would know everything about that person.  If his grandkids were involved in anything he would be the first to tell you how great the were.

Bill and Neva’s life together shared rocky roads, but Bill always knew his love for Neva and his children.  This love gave him the courage to keep fighting for their relationship.  In 2020 Neva and Bill moved back to Miles City to be closer to family.

Bill is survived by his wife Neva Shores Shipp; 5 children -Tony (Brooke)Shipp of Miles City, MT; Tammy (Randy) Watts of Butte, MT; Brad (Brandy) Shipp of Miles City, MT; Bruce (Jan)Shipp of Miles City, MT and Tonya (Robert)Boager of Miles City with 15 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.  He is also survived by his sister-ins-law; Janice (Tom) Mostoller of Salt Lake City, UT, Anita Muri of Miles City, brother-ins-law; Rod (Jan) Shores of Miles City, Robert Emmett of Arizona, numerous nephews and nieces as well as many friends young and old.

Billy Marvin Shipp was welcomed home by his mom and step-dad (Nita and Harold Smith); his grandpa and grandma Henry; his father and step-mother (Lemuel and Charlotte Shipp); his step-father Whitey Bean; half-brother Harold Claire Dorn (Pinky); half-sister Pat Hewitt and Delma Claudine Stone; Father-in-law and Mother-in-law (Forrest And Helen Shores); brothers-in-law Glenn Shores and Pete Muri; Sister-in-law Darlene Emmett; Great granddaughter- Blair Auvil along with many great friends.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to the Hospice nurses and Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home for their special care and help.

Family will be receiving friends on Friday, October 8, 2021, from 4:00-6:00 p.m.  at Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home in Miles City. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. at Grace Bible Church in Miles City.  Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting:  www.stevensonandsons.com.

Service Schedule

Family to Receive Friends

4:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Friday October 8, 2021

Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home

1717 Main Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

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Funeral Service

11:00 AM

Saturday October 9, 2021

Grace Bible Church

3505 Stower Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

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Interment

After Funeral Service

Saturday October 9, 2021

Custer County Cemetery

Cemetery Road

Miles City, Montana 59301

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Luncheon

After Interment

Saturday October 9, 2021

Grace Bible Church

3505 Stower Street

Miles City, Montana 59301

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