Richard William Shipley

Richard William Shipley, better known as Dick Shipley, was born, November 24, 1933. He died April 4th 2026 after a life truly well lived, surrounded by family and loved ones. Dick was born to his father, William Shipley, who taught him the value of hard work, and his mother, Helen Nielson, where he learned compassion and kindness. Dick was predeceased by his parents, and a sister Darlene Carter. He is survived by his wife, companion and best friend, Beth Ann Davis Shipley. They were married for 73 years. The standing joke was that they got married at recess one day. Also survived by daughters Susan Greenstreet, (Scott, deceased); Cindy Besendorfer, (Mark); Elaine Johansen, (Grant); and son, Steven Shipley. Survived by two brothers, Dan and Bill and a sister, Claudia Kueffner and many nieces and nephews..

Dick was truly a self-made man. He was at times a painter, a baker, a welder, crane operator and then a construction superintendent for Horne Construction and Layton Construction, where he was respected by all he worked with. In each profession he engaged in he taught himself the skills needed and always did his best work. He took great pride in the buildings he built, including the Primary Children’s Hospital, a huge cheese redistribution center in Fillmore and the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake and many others. In the meantime, he and his high school sweetheart, Beth Ann, were raising four children. Beth Ann held down the fort while Dick traveled to California, Arizona, Wyoming and other places. Somewhere along the way, he built his dream house. He braved freezing winters and broiling summers to provide for his family.

An avid fisherman and sportsman, he loved fly fishing, once he learned that there was more to fishing than worms. He also learned about things like limits, seasons and catch-and-release. He loved his family and delighted in teasing the grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

There is a saying that Dick believed in: “Days spent fishing cannot be deducted from a man’s life.” I might include camping outdoors as well. In any event, Dick’s two favorite places on Earth were Corn Creek Canyon, near Kanosh, and Callao in the Deep Creek Mountains. They were nothing spectacular, by themselves. But for Dick, this is how and where families came together, where the torch is being readied to be passed on. Where the patriarch, the master of telling scary campfire stories, terrifies The next generation or two. Dick considered scaring his children and grandchildren a sworn duty. He lived an honest and moral life, with the exception of those few misdemeanor fish and game violations in his early years. He was a man of his time and was a role model for his family and those he met along the way. He will be greatly missed but fondly remembered. His remains will be cremated and a Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, April 18th, 2026 11:30-2:00pm Larkin Sunset Gardens in Sandy,Ut.

Friends and family may post condolences at Larkin.com