Sgt. Paul R. Shipman (Ret.)

Sgt. Paul R. Shipman (Ret.), affectionately known as "Buddy" as a youth by his family, passed away peacefully at his residence in Saluda, North Carolina on Tuesday, June 06, 2023. He was born on April 01, 1949, in Henderson County, North Carolina, where he grew up in the Mountain Home area.
Paul graduated from West Henderson High School Class of 1967, where he was a volunteer fireman prior to being deployed to Vietnam as a Sergeant in the United States Army. He had always dreamed of becoming a Trooper, and following his service with the Army, he joined the North Carolina State Highway Patrol where he served the citizens of North Carolina for 30 years, retiring as a Line Sergeant. His dedication to his work was unwavering, and he was highly respected by his colleagues and the community he served.
He was always ready to serve people in need. A protector of all, Paul loved fast cars, especially Corvettes, and anything that pertained to NASCAR. He loved his dogs, with German Shepherds being his favorite because of the protection they provided him during the Vietnam War. Paul enjoyed working in the yard. He also served as a Mason and Shriner.
He met Wanda T. (Gayle) Shipman in 2004 and they married in 2006 at Open Door Christian Fellowship Church. They moved to the Tryon/Green Creek area and joined First Baptist Landrum, where he rededicated his life to the Lord. After Wanda retired, they relocated to Saluda, North Carolina.
Paul was preceded in death by his father, George Wofford Shipman; mother, Martha Blankenship McEntire; step-father, Harry Corn; sister, Pat Corn Duncan; brothers, Larry Shipman and Ronnie Corn.
He is survived by his loving wife, Wanda; one sister, Brenda Crossman; one brother, Jonnie Corn; three children, Casey Shipman (Marie), Jeremy Shipman (Jo Ellen), and Nathan Patterson (Britanny); six grandchildren, Kayla Huggins, Spencer Shipman, Austin Shipman, Paige Shipman, Kelsey Shipman, and Hailey Shipman; many nieces and nephews; and numerous friends he met along his journey.
A celebration of Sgt. Shipman's life will be held on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. in the Chapel of Forest Lawn Funeral Home & Memorial Park in Hendersonville. Full honors will be provided by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a memorial donation in Sgt. Shipman's memory are asked to consider, North Carolina Troopers Association Caisson Unit, P.O. Box 840, Summerfield, North Carolina 27358 or by visiting www.nctacaisson.org.