Norman William "Bill" Hipple, 100, was born July 18, 1924, in Barnard, to William and Blanche Cummings Hipple. He died at his home in Hutchinson on Sunday, March 30, 2025.

Bill was a senior at Lincoln High School when America entered World War II. Upon turning 18 in July, he enlisted and was inducted into the Navy. Following basic training he was assigned to a new aircraft carrier, the Shipley Bay, which was deployed to the South Pacific.

Following his discharge in 1946, Bill returned to Lincoln. Using the skills he learned from his father, he was a small construction contractor in Lincoln for many years.

He was united in marriage with Drene Herman of Lincoln on September 8, 1950. In 1983 they moved to Hutchinson where Drene passed away in 2006.

Bill had his Navy stories which he enjoyed telling to all who would listen. An entertaining storyteller, he was always ready to mix his service history with humor. As the owner of a small private plane, Bill loved to fly in his younger years.

While in Hutchinson, Bill and Drene joined the Countryside Baptist Church. They both received Christ and were baptized in 1996.

Other family members preceding him in death include three brothers, Lew, Carl, and Jack; and three sisters, Willmetta Stogehill, Marjorie Drageus, and Eloise Wilson.

Bill is survived by his nephew, John Wilson, and his wife, Mary of Minneapolis.

Graveside services with Naval military honors will be held at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, April 7, at the Lincoln Cemetery.