Reverend William Lipscomb entered eternal life on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the age of 86. He was born on February 2, 1939, in Terrell, Texas to the late Joel Abner and Francis (Moore) Lipscomb. He graduated from Killeen High School in 1957 and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas in 1961.

In the fall of that year, he entered Seabury-Western Theological School in Evanston, Illinois to prepare for ordination in The Episcopal Church. He earned a Master of Divinity degree in 1964 and was ordained an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Dallas.

After serving in two parishes in the Dallas - Ft. Worth area, he moved to Michigan in 1966 as Vicar of St. Philip's Episcopal Church in Benzie County. In 1969, he entered the United States Air Force Chaplain Corps and would remain on active duty until he retired from the service on September 30, 1994, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

On July 10, 1971, he married Shirley Garrido Medina of Bad-as, Surigao, Mindanao, Philippines. Together, they had four children.

On June 14, 1997, Father Lipscomb was ordained a Catholic priest for the Diocese of Gaylord under a Special Pastoral Provision offered by the Catholic Church. He served in residence at St. Francis Church in Traverse City until 2002, then as Administrator of St. Philip Neri, Empire and St. Rita, Maple City. In July 2004, he returned to Traverse City as Pastor of St. Patrick Catholic Church.

Father Lipscomb was an avid supporter of Catholic education. In July 2009, he was assigned as Chaplain to the Grand Traverse Area Catholic School System and would remain in that position until he retired to senior priest status in 2012. He continued to volunteer his time in the school system, especially at Holy Angels and St. Francis High School.

He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley and their four children: Mary Lytle (Jamie) of East Lansing, Michigan; William Vincent (Kelly Harrison) of Katy, Texas; Philip Michael Abner of Cincinnati, Ohio; Rachel Frances of Tucson, Arizona; grandchildren (Henry, Charlotte, Kyla, Phelix, Tala, Armando, Mayari) and numerous nephews and nieces.

Preceding him in death are his parents; his sister Virginia Houston; his brother Joel Abner Lipscomb Jr.; his nephew David Lipscomb; and his Aunt Mae Moore.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, with a 6:30 p.m. Rosary at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 630 S. West Silver Lake Rd., Traverse City, Michigan 49685.

The Mass of Christian Burial will take place at 11:00 a.m., with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at St. Patrick Catholic Church. The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh will officiate. Father Lipscomb will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.

Please visit www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com to sign his online guestbook. The family is being cared for by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home and Cremation Services.