Dr. William Roy Pipes, 84, of Murphy, passed away Tuesday, April 27, 2021, at his residence.
Dr. Pipes grew up in Western North Carolina.
He was a graduate of Murphy High School.
Roy had served in the United States Navy on aircraft carriers in the Pacific.
After his military service, Dr. Pipes returned to North Carolina and started a family while earning a bachelor’s degree in education at Western Carolina University. He went on to earn a Master’s degree with Clemson University and his doctorate at the University of Georgia in Athens. “GO DAWGS!”
Dr. Pipes was a teacher at Andrews High School and Murphy High School. He served as principal at White Church, Ranger Elementary, Andrews High School, Murphy High School, and Pilot Mountain and Hiawassee, Ga. He became Superintendent of Schools in Cherokee County, and Hawkinsville, Ga. He finished his career as a professor at Piedmont College.
Roy also wrote several books, all set in North Carolina.
In his life, Dr. Pipes never lost sight of his relationship with God. He served as a deacon of Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church as well as a teacher in Sunday school and served as director of Sunday school.
Roy was a wonderful father and husband.
He was the son of the late R.C. and Jessie Davis Pipes, and husband of the late Lucy Cope Pipes, who died Sept. 30, 2010.
Surviving are his wife, Betty Jean Brown Pipes; two sons, Alan Roy Pipes and wife Beth of Murphy, and Jeffrey William Pipes and wife Franky of Fort Worth, Texas; a grandson, Ryan Pipes and wife Rebekah; two great-grandsons, Harrison and Carter; and a brother, Virgil Pipes of Lubbock, Texas.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 29, in the chapel of Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, with Dr. Chester Jones officiating.
The family will receive friends from noon-1:45 p.m. Thursday at Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, prior to the services.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made in memory of Dr. William Roy Pipes to Peachtree Memorial Baptist Church, 1650 Highway 141, Murphy, NC 28906.
Ivie Funeral Home, Murphy, is in charge of all arrangements.
An online guest register is available at www.iviefuneralhome.com.