Joseph Shipley

Joseph Raleigh Shipley, 86, passed away October 10, 2019.  Joe was born January 28, 1933, the youngest of three children, to Nathan W. and Eugenia M. (Stevenson) Shipley.  He graduated from Shawnee Mission High School (now Shawnee Mission North High School) in 1951.  He then attended the University of Kansas for one year, eventually coming to his senses and transferring to Kansas State University.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from K-State in 1956.

Joe married C. Regena West on June 24, 1956.  Together they had three children, Timothy Joel, Jo Lynn, and William Franklin.  In addition to many camping trips to Colorado and canoe trips along the Buffalo River in Arkansas, they also travelled to England and Costa Rica.

Joe was a structural steel detailer for WRW Engineering and later for Kansas City Structural Steel.  He left KC Structural in 1978 to start his own company, Shipley Detailing Service.  He and four other engineers, each sole proprietors, collaborated for the next 25 years, on nothing but a handshake, to detail the steel structure of buildings from Illinois to Arizona.

Beginning in his early days as a youth, Joe was happiest when he was making or building something.  Radio Control Airplanes, Dulcimers, a Snow Blower, Model Boats, an actual Boat, a Custom Headboard, a Spinning Wheel, a Cedar Chest, Turned Wooden Bowls, and later in life, Quilts, are just some of the things he built or made.

Joe’s wife Regena died in 2006, one month shy of their 50th Anniversary.  He subsequently met Carole J. Dubbert in mid 2007, herself a widow of a 50 year marriage.  Joe and Carole were married on February 9, 2008.  They enjoyed nearly 12 years together, travelling on a Mission Trip to South Africa in 2010, a River Cruise in Germany in 2008, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta in 2011, and many other adventures.  Joe also travelled on Mission Trips to Alaska and Mexico.

Joe was preceded in death by his wife, C. Regena Shipley, his brother William (Bill) Nathan Shipley, sister Winifred (Winnie) Jean Steinmetz, his nephew Gary Shipley, and grandson Christopher Nathan Shipley.  He is survived by his wife Carole J. (Dubbert) Shipley, son Tim (Barbara) Shipley, daughter Jody Shipley, son Bill Shipley, grandchildren Sarah N. Shipley, Nathan J. (Hannah) Shipley, Josie L. Shipley, Isaac L. Shipley, Sha’uri J. Shipley, Xochilt E. Eloise Shipley, step-daughters Cheryl (Pedro) Calderon, Cindy (Bob) Metcalf, Christy Thomann, and Andrea Dubbert, step-son Mike (Caprice) Dubbert, step-grandchildren, Ana Calderon, Sara Calderon, Dan (Katie) Calderon, Maria Calderon, Abby Thomann, Kelsie Thomann, Courtney (Andrew) Gebauer, Carlee Dubbert, and Easton Dubbert, plus 7 step-great-grandchildren.