Bill "Squirrel" Eugene Tipton

Bill “Squirrel” Tipton, Age 84, of Johnson City, went home to be with his Lord Jesus on Tuesday, August 19, 2025. He was born in Erwin, Tennessee on April 26, 1941, to the late Albert and Amanda Buchanan Tipton.

Bill served his country honorably in the United States Air Force. During his time in the Air Force Bill was awarded an Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Bill played basketball for ETSU.

He retired from his administration position at CSX Transportation after thirty years of service.

Bill was nicknamed “Squirrel” as he was growing up in Erwin. He enjoyed the great outdoors and was gifted with athletic ability and Bill enjoyed playing multiple sports. But throughout his life, golf was his passion.

He was a faithful, godly man with a servant’s heart who loved God passionately. Bill was an active member of Green Mountain Freewill Baptist Church where he had an ongoing role as a Sunday School Teacher.

Bill would want his many friends and brothers to know that they are his true legacy. While he loved hunting, fishing, golfing, and church the family and friends he shared these activities with were especially important to him.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by one brother, Raymond Tipton and his wife, Betty; sister-in-law, Emma Lee Clouse Ingram.

Bill leaves behind to cherish many wonderful memories, his loving and faithful wife of fifty-nine years, Sarah Clouse Tipton; his two children: Wendy Tipton Oberdick and her husband, Jon of Knoxville, Jason Blake Tipton and his wife, Kristin of Michigan; his six grandchildren: Jonathan, Rebekah, Joshua, Jacob, James and Jackson; brothers: Bob Tipton, Jerry Tipton (Sharley), and Roger Tipton (Cindy); sister-in-law, Jacque Clouse; brother-in-law, Dennis Ingram; several nieces and nephews; numerous other family and friends also survive.

The Tipton family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon on Friday, August 29, 2025, at the Unicoi Funeral Home Chapel. Bill’s funeral service will be held at 12:00 Noon with Reverend Troy Davis officiating and Jack Harris will deliver Bill’s eulogy. Music will be provided by Tom Collins. Committal with military honors will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday in the Mountain Home National Cemetery (Historic Site). Pallbearers will be Jonathan Oberdick, Joshua Oberdick, James Cox, Mike Laningham, Marshall Barnett, and Jeff Lyons. Those wishing to attend Bill’s committal should assemble at the cemetery by 1:55 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family request donations be made in memory of Bill to his beloved church: Green Mountain Free Will Baptist Church, 972 Dry Creek Road, Elizabethton, TN 37643.

Online condolences, photos and memories may be shared with the Tipton family at ww.ledfordfuneralhomes.com. 

Unicoi Funeral Home, 4428 Unicoi Drive, Unicoi, is privileged to serve the Tipton family. (423) 743-1380

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