Willie Cee Shipley, Jr.

1954 - 2015

Mr. Shipley, Jr. peacefully passed away at a local hospital.

Viewing will be Thursday, March 26, 2015 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral Services will be Friday, March 27, 2015 at 11:00 at Bethel Baptist Church located at 1962 Euclid Avenue, San Diego, CA 92105.

Burial will immediately follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery. Please contact our office for additional information.


WILLIE CEE SHIPLEY, JR. was born on November 14, 1954 in Chula Vista, California. He was the eldest of four children born to the union of Willie Cee Shipley, Sr. and Josie Lee Shipley. Willie was affectionately called "Will" by close friends, and "Ceeboy" by his family. He attended Laurel Bible Chapel and Trinity Baptist Church with his family throughout his childhood. Later in life, he was baptized by Bishop George Dallas McKinney at St. Stephens Church of God in Christ.

Will received his formal education through the San Diego Unified School District, graduating from Hoover High School in June of 1972. While in high school, he participated in ROTC classes. He also played the saxophone all three years in high school and played in the neighborhood band as well.

Will's first job was at the neighborhood corner store, having a store clerk position. Later, while in his junior and senior high school years, he began working for Food Basket Grocery Store as a Store Checker. He continued working there until he made the decision to have full time classes at San Diego City College, and work part-time at Jack In The Box.

On July 14, 1975, Will was blessed with his first born son, "Willie C. Shipley, III, which was a highlight in his life. Over the years, he watched his son (a mini him) grow up and become a man. He loved spending time with his son, whom he affectionately called "Third". Through the good and the bad, Will was always there for "Third". He was an outstanding father to his son and Third was a wonderful son to his dad. It is a blessing that they were able to spend so much time together. In Will's last days on earth, with the assistance of Pastor Milton Chambers of New Hope Friendship Baptist Church, he rededicated his life to Christ and later that same day, he had a conversation with Third. He had a few things to say but the words that stood out most were, "I have lived my life son, a good life and I am not afraid to die".

Will loved spending time with his grand-daughter, "Emoni". After he retired, Will became a "Grand Parent Volunteer" at Emoni's school and in her classroom. On April 24, 2013, the school honored him with an award of recognition for being an "Outstanding Volunteer". Emoni loved her "Papa "and she made sure all staff and students knew who her Papa was. As they walked throughout the school campus, you would hear "Hi Mr. Shipley", coming from here and there. Emoni had her Papa's heart and he certainly had hers.

Will was very blessed with the gift of having caring and loving ways towards family, extended family and friends. He was the most awesome big brother to his younger brothers and he took extra special care of his only sister. He also had a very special place in his heart for a young man who was just like a son to him, "Darryl L. Bryant". It was very natural for Will to easily give uplifting or encouraging words in conversation that would build family and friends up. He loved to talk and talk and talk (smile). He was always talking to someone about opening up a business or investing in something that would



make both parties well-off or even rich. He was a good listener and found pleasure in giving sound advice and assistance others in a time of need. Will loved being on the go. Whenever or wherever there were family a gathering, Will was there supporting the family anyway he could. Always talking, laughing and dancing (he loved to dance). He liked having fun times doing whatever he could to help make any family event successful. He had a Heart of Gold.

In May, 1975, Will was given the opportunity to become an employee with the City of San Diego. A few of the positions which he held were Sanitation Driver, Heavy Equipment Operator and Street Sweeper Supervisor with a crew of fourteen. Will was very dedicated and he gave his all on every position he held. He was punctual, dependable, respectful, cheerful, helpful, considerate, kind and positive. He loved hanging around after work hours, talking to the fellas. After giving thirty-seven years of dedicated service to the City of San Diego, he retired on July 7, 2012.

On Friday, March 13, 2015, at 12:24 P.M., our Father in Heaven called Willie Cee Shipley, Jr. home to be with Him. He fought a good fight, he finished his race and he kept the faith, II Timothy 4:7.

Will was preceded in death by his mother, Josie L. Shipley, grandparents, Joseph B. and Ida Mae Brown; uncles, Benjamin Shipley, Sr. and Joseph Joe Brown, Jr.; aunt, Mary P. Brown and cousin, Sheri Gibson.

He leaves to cherish his lasting memory, his loving son, Willie C. Shipley, III (Leana); grand-daughter, Emoni Tiana Shipley; father, Willie C. Shipley, Sr. (Bernice); sister, Ida C. Shipley-Chappell (James); three brothers, George M. "Mike" Shipley, Gabriel "Gabe" C. Shipley (Michelle) and Phillip Shipley, all of San Diego, CA; uncle, Kenneth E. Brown (Patsy) of Las Vegas, NV; two nephews, Terry Edwards, Jr. and Gabriel C. Shipley, Jr.; niece, Chemayne C. Shipley all of San Diego, CA; cousins, Benjamin Shipley, Jr. (Roguel), Rick Steward, Tylon Hinks, Rick Brown (Teri), Rhonda Thomas (Jimmie), Joslyn Hill, Rosolyn Harper, Jeana Brown all of San Diego, CA; Melanie Brown-Townsend of Las Vegas, NV and a host of other relatives and good friends.