Paul W. Wipf, age 85, died June 18, 2002, at Whidbey General Hospital, Coupeville. He was born February 21, 1917, in Freeman, S.D. At the age of 19, he entered the Civilian Conservation Corps, working on an irrigation project at Belle Fourche, S.D.

Mr. Wipf volunteered for military service duirng World War II, serving with the Army Air Corps in Iceland from 1942 to 1945. After the war, he moved to Seattle to look for work. In 1948, he began a career with Federal Civil Service. He worked at the Port Embarkation facility in Seattle and, in 1957, transferred to Whidbey Island Naval Air Station as a boiler plant operator. He retired in January 1979. Mr. Wipf was married to Mildred L.”Millie” Molder on May 17, 1949, in Seattle. They recently celebrated 53 years of marriage.

Mr. Wipf was an avid fisherman. His favorite fishing was at Campbell Lake near Anacortes. He volunteered at Help House and the Oak Harbor Senior Center and, for a time was also a rock collector. He was a member of the Church of Christ of Oak Harbor.

Mr. Wipf is survived by his wife Millie at the family home, Oak Harbor; by two stepsons Yancey Jones of Lubbock, Texas, and Lacy Jones of Yuma, Ariz. by one granddaughter Tonni Hoefs of Lubbock, Texas, and by two grandsons, Mason Jones of San Diego and Frank Jones of Yuma, Ariz. Two great-grandsons, David and Jake Hoefs of Lubbock, Texas, and one great-granddaughter Julia Jones of Yuma, Ariz., also survive him.

Cremation was held with private family inurnment to follow. A memorial service will be held later. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Arrangements are by Burley Funeral Chapel