Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
Whitesell-Somers Family Web Project - Person Sheet
NameDr. William Dennis RIPPY Sr. 
[1807], [5224], [15016], [15022], [15023], [15024], [15025], [15026], [15027], [15019]
[1807], [5224], [15016], [15022], [15023], [15024], [15025], [15026], [15027], [15019]DeathJan 2, 2026, Wilmington, New Hanover County, North Carolina [15019]
BurialMagnolia Cemetery, 201 N. Oak Ave And West Front Street, Elon, North Carolina [15028]
Flags SS-Reunion Info, US Army, World War II
FatherJoseph Michael RIPPY (1899-1953)
MotherMyrtle Ella COBB (1903-1971)
Spouses
DeathAug 27, 2024 [15023]
BurialMagnolia Cemetery, 201 N. Oak Ave And West Front Street, Elon, North Carolina [15023]
FatherJonah Sterling BLALOCK (1899-1975)
MotherLester Harriet RASCOE (1896-1977)
Obituary Online notes for Dr. William Dennis RIPPY Sr.
William Dennis Rippy M.D
January 13, 1922 - January 2, 2026
William Dennis Rippy M.D
William Dennis Rippy M.D., known as “Doc”, age 103, was born in Gibsonville, NC on January 13th, 1922. He passed on January 2nd, 2026 surrounded by family in Wilmington, NC.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Blalock Rippy, who he was married to for 78 years. He is also preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle Cobb Rippy, his uncle, Lingle Cobb, and his younger sister, Betty Jean Rippy Martin.
He is survived by his 5 children, William (Bill) Rippy Jr. (Laura Donovan), Robert (Bob) Rippy (Jennifer Jones), John Rippy Sr. (Janet Michael), David Rippy Sr., and Myra Rippy (Chris Roehner); 9 grandchildren, Alexandra Rippy, Sterling Rippy, John Rippy Jr., Rebecca Dzupinka, Anna Kroko, Lee Rippy, Kristin Foss, Helen Rippy Roehner, and G.W. Rippy Roehner; 14 great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews, Teresa Blalock, Bonnie Blalock, Wayne Floyd, Terry Martin, Mike Floyd, and Sherry Ackman.
He entered Elon College in 1939 as a Pre-Med student. In his senior year at Elon, he was allowed to graduate before reporting to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He later received a commission as an Ensign from Northwestern University Midshipman School.
Lt. JG Rippy saw action in the Pacific theater up and down New Guinea serving as an engineering officer, executive officer, and finally as the commanding officer of LCI Group 43. He transferred troops for Leyte and reinforcements to Okinawa. The Group was taking on supplies and preparing for the invasion of Japan before the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After the war, he came home and married the love of his life, Helen Blalock, on May 5th,1946, and soon after attended Duke Medical School. He entered the Army Medical Corp and did his residency at Walter Reed Army Hospital specializing in Hematology and Family medicine.
Dr. Rippy started his 38-year medical practice as a General Practitioner in Alamance County in 1952. He set up his practice at the Medical Center office complex with his partner, Dr. Alan D. Tate, where he provided passionate care to all his families; from delivering babies through all life medical aspects. He spent time out in the county taking care of patients by making house calls for those that could not travel to the office. Dr. Rippy served on staff at Alamance County and Alamance Memorial Hospitals, and later became the Chief of Staff for the Alamance County Hospital from 1965-1967. A proponent of healthcare for underprivileged children, Dr. Rippy was a physician for many years at Elon Homes for Children. He also provided sport physicals for local high school athletes, Elon College athletes, and camp physicals for the Boy Scouts.
Dr. Rippy served on many boards and commissions throughout his life. He was a member of the N.C. Commission for Health Services for 25 years and served 8 years on the Alamance County Board of Health, 2 of which he was Chairman. During this time he was awarded the North Carolina Medical Society Presidents Citation. He was a member of the Alamance-Caswell Medical Society and a charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice. Doc was also a part of the North Carolina Radiation Protection Commission for 10 years. In 1999 he received the E. Harvey Estes, Jr., Physician Community Service Award. In addition, Dr. Rippy was a member of the Burlington Lodge 721 Masons, and a charter member of the Amran Temple of Shriners where he worked to refer burned and crippled children to Shriners Hospital. Through this he received the Amran Shriners Children's Hospital Appreciation Award.
Dr. Rippy was a champion of integration and received the City of Burlington Award for his courageous leadership as a member of the city school board from 1965-1973. Dr. Rippy continued to support Elon College by serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and Trustee Emeritus. He and his wife, Helen, a 1946 graduate, served as co-presidents of the Golden Alumni Association. He was awarded the Alumni Service Award in 2002. In 2004, he was awarded the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Also during his life he was a VFW quartermaster for Post 2972. Furthermore, Doc stayed active in the Alamance County Chapter of The Gideons International for many years. Doc was very involved in his Church serving as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and trustee.
William D. Rippy was a family man, very devoted to his wife and 5 children, and was equally devoted to his patients, church, and overall community. He was described as a “gentle” man who touched many lives throughout his 103 years of life. The family would like to thank Barbara Jenski for her care over the years, as well as to all the other caretakers who have devoted their time and love. Friends are invited to celebrate Doc’s life on Saturday, January 24th from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the Elon Community Church located at 271 N Williamson Ave, Elon, NC 27244.
https://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries/William-Dennis-Rippy-MD?obId=46947123 [15019]
January 13, 1922 - January 2, 2026
William Dennis Rippy M.D
William Dennis Rippy M.D., known as “Doc”, age 103, was born in Gibsonville, NC on January 13th, 1922. He passed on January 2nd, 2026 surrounded by family in Wilmington, NC.
He is preceded in death by his wife, Helen Blalock Rippy, who he was married to for 78 years. He is also preceded in death by his mother, Myrtle Cobb Rippy, his uncle, Lingle Cobb, and his younger sister, Betty Jean Rippy Martin.
He is survived by his 5 children, William (Bill) Rippy Jr. (Laura Donovan), Robert (Bob) Rippy (Jennifer Jones), John Rippy Sr. (Janet Michael), David Rippy Sr., and Myra Rippy (Chris Roehner); 9 grandchildren, Alexandra Rippy, Sterling Rippy, John Rippy Jr., Rebecca Dzupinka, Anna Kroko, Lee Rippy, Kristin Foss, Helen Rippy Roehner, and G.W. Rippy Roehner; 14 great-grandchildren; and his nieces and nephews, Teresa Blalock, Bonnie Blalock, Wayne Floyd, Terry Martin, Mike Floyd, and Sherry Ackman.
He entered Elon College in 1939 as a Pre-Med student. In his senior year at Elon, he was allowed to graduate before reporting to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He later received a commission as an Ensign from Northwestern University Midshipman School.
Lt. JG Rippy saw action in the Pacific theater up and down New Guinea serving as an engineering officer, executive officer, and finally as the commanding officer of LCI Group 43. He transferred troops for Leyte and reinforcements to Okinawa. The Group was taking on supplies and preparing for the invasion of Japan before the bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
After the war, he came home and married the love of his life, Helen Blalock, on May 5th,1946, and soon after attended Duke Medical School. He entered the Army Medical Corp and did his residency at Walter Reed Army Hospital specializing in Hematology and Family medicine.
Dr. Rippy started his 38-year medical practice as a General Practitioner in Alamance County in 1952. He set up his practice at the Medical Center office complex with his partner, Dr. Alan D. Tate, where he provided passionate care to all his families; from delivering babies through all life medical aspects. He spent time out in the county taking care of patients by making house calls for those that could not travel to the office. Dr. Rippy served on staff at Alamance County and Alamance Memorial Hospitals, and later became the Chief of Staff for the Alamance County Hospital from 1965-1967. A proponent of healthcare for underprivileged children, Dr. Rippy was a physician for many years at Elon Homes for Children. He also provided sport physicals for local high school athletes, Elon College athletes, and camp physicals for the Boy Scouts.
Dr. Rippy served on many boards and commissions throughout his life. He was a member of the N.C. Commission for Health Services for 25 years and served 8 years on the Alamance County Board of Health, 2 of which he was Chairman. During this time he was awarded the North Carolina Medical Society Presidents Citation. He was a member of the Alamance-Caswell Medical Society and a charter member of the American Academy of Family Practice. Doc was also a part of the North Carolina Radiation Protection Commission for 10 years. In 1999 he received the E. Harvey Estes, Jr., Physician Community Service Award. In addition, Dr. Rippy was a member of the Burlington Lodge 721 Masons, and a charter member of the Amran Temple of Shriners where he worked to refer burned and crippled children to Shriners Hospital. Through this he received the Amran Shriners Children's Hospital Appreciation Award.
Dr. Rippy was a champion of integration and received the City of Burlington Award for his courageous leadership as a member of the city school board from 1965-1973. Dr. Rippy continued to support Elon College by serving as a member of the Board of Trustees and Trustee Emeritus. He and his wife, Helen, a 1946 graduate, served as co-presidents of the Golden Alumni Association. He was awarded the Alumni Service Award in 2002. In 2004, he was awarded the North Carolina Order of the Long Leaf Pine. Also during his life he was a VFW quartermaster for Post 2972. Furthermore, Doc stayed active in the Alamance County Chapter of The Gideons International for many years. Doc was very involved in his Church serving as a Deacon, Sunday School teacher, and trustee.
William D. Rippy was a family man, very devoted to his wife and 5 children, and was equally devoted to his patients, church, and overall community. He was described as a “gentle” man who touched many lives throughout his 103 years of life. The family would like to thank Barbara Jenski for her care over the years, as well as to all the other caretakers who have devoted their time and love. Friends are invited to celebrate Doc’s life on Saturday, January 24th from 3:00pm to 4:00pm at the Elon Community Church located at 271 N Williamson Ave, Elon, NC 27244.
https://www.richandthompson.com/obituaries/William-Dennis-Rippy-MD?obId=46947123 [15019]
Obituary Online notes for Helen Rascoe (Spouse 1)
9/5/2024
Helen R. Rippy
June 9, 1924 ~ August 28, 2024 (age 100)
Helen B. Rippy, age 100, was born on June 9th, 1924 and passed away August 28th, 2024.
Survivors include her husband: Dr. W.D. Rippy Sr.; children: Bill Rippy Jr. (Laura Rippy), Bob Rippy (Jenny Rippy), John Rippy Sr. (Janet Rippy), David Rippy, Myra Rippy (Chris Roehner); grandchildren: Bill Rippy’s children; Alexandra Rippy and Sterling Rippy; John Rippy’s children; John Rippy Jr., Rebecca Dzupinka and Anna Kroko,; David Rippy’s children; Lee Rippy and Kristin Foss; Myra Rippy’s children; Helen Roehner and G.W. Roehner; great-grandchildren: 13 with another on the way; and two special nieces, Bonnie Blalock and Teresa Blalock.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jonah and Lester Blalock, and her two brothers, Sylvester and Clarence Blalock.
Helen was a former active member of the Burlington Artist League (charter member), the Alamance Women’s Medical Auxiliary Society, the Elon University Golden Alumni Association, and she was involved in all churches she attended in life through Women’s Circles and Sunday school groups. She also served on the Alamance County Mental Health Board and anything else that she could find that suited her interests. Helen was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader for several years and was the mother of three Eagle Scouts. Helen found delight in painting, ceramics, needlework, sewing, and tending to her yard. Her art can currently be found in homes and businesses around the world. She enjoyed traveling - if any of her friends said “let’s go”, they were gone. But her greatest joy in life was to care and be with her family, especially her husband of 78 years, D.
Thank you to Barbra Jenski for all the care you have given to Helen and W.D. over the years, as well as to all the other caretakers that have given their time and love.
The family will receive friends at Elon Community Church sanctuary at 3pm Saturday September 7, 2024. Mrs Rippy will be buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Elon.
Memorials are to be given to the Helen B. Rippy Art History Scholarship at Elon University. https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/Helen-Rippy [15023]
Helen R. Rippy
June 9, 1924 ~ August 28, 2024 (age 100)
Helen B. Rippy, age 100, was born on June 9th, 1924 and passed away August 28th, 2024.
Survivors include her husband: Dr. W.D. Rippy Sr.; children: Bill Rippy Jr. (Laura Rippy), Bob Rippy (Jenny Rippy), John Rippy Sr. (Janet Rippy), David Rippy, Myra Rippy (Chris Roehner); grandchildren: Bill Rippy’s children; Alexandra Rippy and Sterling Rippy; John Rippy’s children; John Rippy Jr., Rebecca Dzupinka and Anna Kroko,; David Rippy’s children; Lee Rippy and Kristin Foss; Myra Rippy’s children; Helen Roehner and G.W. Roehner; great-grandchildren: 13 with another on the way; and two special nieces, Bonnie Blalock and Teresa Blalock.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jonah and Lester Blalock, and her two brothers, Sylvester and Clarence Blalock.
Helen was a former active member of the Burlington Artist League (charter member), the Alamance Women’s Medical Auxiliary Society, the Elon University Golden Alumni Association, and she was involved in all churches she attended in life through Women’s Circles and Sunday school groups. She also served on the Alamance County Mental Health Board and anything else that she could find that suited her interests. Helen was a Girl Scout and Cub Scout Leader for several years and was the mother of three Eagle Scouts. Helen found delight in painting, ceramics, needlework, sewing, and tending to her yard. Her art can currently be found in homes and businesses around the world. She enjoyed traveling - if any of her friends said “let’s go”, they were gone. But her greatest joy in life was to care and be with her family, especially her husband of 78 years, D.
Thank you to Barbra Jenski for all the care you have given to Helen and W.D. over the years, as well as to all the other caretakers that have given their time and love.
The family will receive friends at Elon Community Church sanctuary at 3pm Saturday September 7, 2024. Mrs Rippy will be buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Elon.
Memorials are to be given to the Helen B. Rippy Art History Scholarship at Elon University. https://www.richandthompson.com/notices/Helen-Rippy [15023]