Reverend William W. Lipscomb was born in Terrell, Texas on February 2, 1939, to Joel and Frances (Moore) Lipscomb. He was ordained a priest of the Episcopal Church in December 1964. Fr. Lipscomb married his wife Shirley on July 10, 1971. Under a special pastoral provision for Anglican clergy, he was ordained a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Gaylord on June 14, 1997 by Bishop Patrick Cooney. Fr. Lipscomb retired in 2012 and resided in Traverse City with his wife until his death on January 18, 2026.
Fr. Lipscomb attained a BA degree from Austin College in Sherman, Texas, a M-Div. from Seabury-Western Theological School in Evanston Illinois, as well as having attended the Pontifical College Josephinum in Columbus, Ohio. He served as Chaplain for the United States Air Force for many years.
Fr. Lipscomb began his service in the Diocese of Gaylord as Bishop’s Liaison to Northwestern Michigan College in Traverse City. He served as Administrator of the parishes of St. Philip Neri, Empire and St. Rita-St. Joseph, Maple City; Pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Traverse City; and returned to St. Philip Neri Parish as Administrator. Fr. Lipscomb served as a member of the Presbyteral Council and College of Consultors for the diocese and Chaplain for Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools.
He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Shirley and their four children: Mary Lytle (Jamie), William Vincent (Kelly Harrison), Philip Michael Abner, Rachel Frances, and grandchildren (Henry, Charlotte, Kyla, Phelix, Tala, Armando, Mayari).
Visitation will be held at St. Patrick Parish, Traverse City from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, with a 6:30 p.m. rosary and Tuesday, January 27, 2026 from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. A Pontifical Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by The Most Reverend Jeffrey J. Walsh, Bishop of Gaylord at 11:00 a.m. at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Father Lipscomb will be interred at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan.
