William "Bill" Harry Tippett

William “Bill” Harry Tippett, age 91, of rural Galena, Illinois, died on Saturday, December 30, 2017 at the Elizabeth Nursing Home. A visitation will be held from 4:00 -7:00 p.m., Sunday, January 7, 2018 at the Law-Jones Funeral Home, Elizabeth. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Monday, January 8, 2018 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabeth, Illinois. A visitation will be held from 10:00-11:00 a.m., prior to the funeral service, at the Church. Burial with Military Rites will take place in Greenwood Cemetery, Galena, Illinois.

Bill was born at home on the family farm on August 24, 1926, the son of James and Nina (Bucher) Tippett in rural Galena. He attended school at Rock College one room school and later attended Elizabeth and Galena High Schools. Bill proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp for two years, serving in the South Pacific during WWII and in China after the war. After he was discharged, Bill came home and farmed with his father on the family farm. Bill married Louise Haug on August 7, 1955 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Elizabeth.

Bill was passionate about farming and being a good steward of the land. Bill farmed with his father until he purchased the farm in 1971 where he operated it with his three sons. In later years, Bill remained active with the farm and helped operate it alongside his son, Roger. He was a founding member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Elizabeth. Bill also served on the Board of Directors for Jo-Daviess Mutual Insurance Company and as a Trustee and Supervisor for the Elizabeth Township Board. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife, Louise, especially on their trips to Cornwall, Alaska and Hawaii. Most of all, Bill cherished Sunday dinners with family, and spending time with his close family and friends.

Bill will be dearly missed by his wife of 62 years, Louise; one daughter, Vicki (Clay) Riness of Coon Valley, Wisconsin; three sons, Tom Tippett of Galena, Roger (Dana) Tippett of Galena, and Ron (Judy) Tippett of Galena; eight grandchildren, Chris Tippett, Cole (Annie) Riness, Justin Tippett, Grace Riness, Ken Tippett, Joe Tippett, Conner Tippett, and Ryan Tippett; one brother, Jim (Janice) Tippett of Redmond, Washington; one sister, Bernice (Joe) Johnson of Rockford, Illinois; and several nieces and nephews.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Robert, Donald, and Kenneth Tippett; and one sister at birth, Hilda.