William E. Tipton

William E. Tipton Loving and loved, William E. Tipton, known by his friends as "Bill", passed away February 11, 2013, at his Querencia home in Austin, Texas. Bill had an insatiable love of God and now is with Him. He was 92 years young. Bill loved to draw, especially horses. He completed his first oil painting at 9 years old, winning blue ribbons at the State Fair of Texas. His Western paintings have hung in business offices and bank collections throughout Texas, Colorado; as well as the Wells Fargo Museum in San Francisco. His portraits of chancellors and deans grace University collections in Texas and Kentucky. His works are represented in private collections throughout the U.S. and internationally. He has been represented by galleries in Santa Fe, Albuquerque and Ruidoso, New Mexico; San Antonio and Corpus Christi, Texas; and Ouray, Colorado Springs and Breckenridge, Colorado. Bill was a sweet, sweet man. He cared genuinely about everyone around him. With never a raised voice, he was quick with kindness and encouragement. He was truly a very gentle soul. His overflowing sense of humor and one-of-a-kind warm smile always brightened your day. His laughter, even at his own jokes, brought such joy. Bill would want to be remembered as an artist, but he was also a geologist by training with a Bachelors and Masters in Geology from THE University of Texas. He was a WWII veteran, serving in the Navy. He grew up in Dallas, raised a family in Houston, retired to Colorado to paint, and then he and his loving wife, Julie, returned to Austin to be closer to family. They were the first residents and unofficial greeters at Querencia. Bill leaves behind his wife, Julie, of 63 years and the love of his life; his son, William Tipton, Jr. (his wife Donna Tipton, their son Jonathan and their grandson, Bryson ) and his daughter, Diane Tipton Land (her husband Steve Adler and their daughters Karen (with fiance Justin Short), Susan and Sarah). He is also survived by his brother, Dr. George W. Tipton--99 years young (son Buddy and wife Brenda, daughter Ellen), his brother-in-law, L. Henry Gissel, Jr. (his wife, Jo Claire and their children, Lewis and wife Amy, Virginia and husband Stephan, and Scottie) and many nieces and nephews whom he loved. A Celebration of Life Service will be at Querencia (2500 Barton Creek Blvd., Longhorn Room, Austin, TX) at 2pm, Saturday, February