Roy Roger Whipple, age 79 of Hager City WI, died on Wednesday, December 2, 2020. Roy was born October 28, 1941 in Mora MN to parents John and Margaret (Raunhorst) Whipple. Roy attended school in the Hager City/Ellsworth area, and served his country in the United States Navy from 1958 to 1962. During those 4 years in the Navy, Roy completed his GED, and attended the Great Lakes Diesel Mechanic School. On April 20, 1963, he was united in marriage to Shirley Flynn at the St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Their union in marriage was blessed with two children, two generations of grandchildren, and over 57 years of love and devotion.

Roy worked for several years at the Koch Refinery before starting his own business, Whipple’s Welding, later to be called Boss Truck Equipment. Roy did more than just welding, fabricating and manufacturing of commercial grade bumpers for trucks; he also manufactured product lines for wood-burning stoves and aftermarket truck bumpers. Roy had a mechanical mind, and the ability to fix nearly anything. In later years, he enjoyed working at Treasure Island Casino as a slot technician. Through the years, Roy enjoyed riding motorcycles, golfing, and fishing, especially for walleye and sauger. Fishing, camping, and family all went hand-in-hand for Roy and his loved ones. Roy taught his grandchildren how to catch and clean fish, as well as how to change oil and speak confidently with a mechanic. Roy also took things one day at a time while achieving over 49 years of sobriety.

Roy is survived by his loving wife of 57 years, Shirley; his son, Troy (Laura) Whipple; grandchildren, Aaron (Susan) Whipple, Caryn (Trevor) Sande, and Stephen Whipple; great-grandchildren, Corben and Tiberius; sister, Peg (Steve) Small; brother Gerald Whipple, and many other beloved relatives and friends. Roy was preceded in death by his daughter, Lori; his parents; a sister, Marilyn Vavro; and brother Frank Whipple.

Visitation for Roy Whipple will be held from 4:00-6:00pm on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 N. Grant Street in Ellsworth. (Use of masks required, social distancing and occupancy limitations will be practiced) A private family funeral Mass will be held at St. Francis Catholic Church in Ellsworth. Burial with military honors will take place at the St. Francis Catholic Cemetery in Ellsworth. In memory of Roy, memorials may be directed to the Disabled American Veterans organization. Services have been entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Funeral Home of Ellsworth WI. 715-273-4421