William Monroe “Bill” Tipton passed from this life and through the Gates of Glory on September 22, 2022 surrounded by his loving family. Bill was born on June 7, 1969 in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to the late Carl Tipton and Evelyn “Sophie” Leonard Tipton Haislip.
He was named for his dad’s good friend and fellow musician, Bill Monroe, the Father of Bluegrass music. When Bill was just a few weeks old, Bill Monroe took “Little Bill”, as he was known by many people, onto the stage of the Grand Ole Opry and introduced him. Bill would return to that stage on multiple occasions to perform. Music was a part of Bill’s life from his earliest days, often spending naptime in a guitar case while Carl and Sophie performed music. He grew up on the set at Channel 5, at Channel 17 and Murfreesboro 39 television stations and on many stages at live performances. Attending bluegrass festivals during his young years was a frequent occurrence that instilled a deep appreciation and love for bluegrass and gospel music and provided many opportunities for him to meet and play music with many well-known musicians. Bill was a talented multi-instrumentalist and singer, blending his beautiful harmony with others in the band. As a teen he began playing guitar with his dad’s band on tv and as they traveled all over the south and beyond.
Later with some close friends, he formed his own band playing at festivals around the area and other events including SPIGMA (Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America). He had many other friends with whom he enjoyed jamming. Bill made his primary instrument the mandolin following in his dad’s and his namesake’s footsteps. Over the years many others invited him to play music and he was always willing to share his talent. He instilled the love of Bluegrass to his children and grandchildren, and his musical legacy will carry on through them.
Bill grew up attending Walter Hill church of Christ where his mom was his first Sunday School teacher. He was baptized into Christ on November 27, 1987, by Bro. Randall Chaudoin. Bill used his God-given talent as a song leader there for several years. Bill and his family later worshiped with the church of Christ at North Boulevard. During the 27 years they worshiped there, they developed many close relationships with their brothers and sisters in Christ. Bill had the honor of baptizing both of his sons into Christ fulfilling one of the goals as a parent of leading his children to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.
Bill attended Oakland High School where he graduated in 1987. Following high school, he took a year off to work several jobs while helping serve his parents during his father’s battle with cancer before enrolling at Middle Tennessee State University. Bill worked nights and attended morning classes before going home to sleep. It was at MTSU on the steps of the Cope Administration Building where he reacquainted with his future wife, Vanessa, whom he had known in high school. She invited him to attend a gospel meeting and shortly thereafter, he knew she was the one for him. Bill graduated MTSU in 1998 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications. He put his degree to work in Human Resources at Nissan of Smyrna where he was employed for 30+ years. Bill loved his work at Nissan as well as his co-workers whom he considered another family. He stated that his time at Nissan was a blessing in his life.
Bill married the love of his life, Vanessa Rae Maxwell, on February 23, 1991 at Walter Hill church of Christ with Bro. Jim Creech officiating. Bill not only gained a wife, he gained another father and mother and sister who loved him and who he loved with all his heart. The births of his two sons, Austin and Jacob, were some of the greatest moments of his life. His love and devotion for them had no bounds.
One of the things they enjoyed doing as a family was traveling and camping. They travelled the country from coast to coast over the years visiting the 48 contiguous United States. Fishing, hiking, camping, seeing the country and meeting people were always a part of the adventure. These were cherished times spent with their boys.
As the boys grew up and found more interests, Bill was always supportive and encouraging as he worked alongside them. As a family they became involved in cattle and goat farming and shared this hobby as it grew into a business, Tipton Farms.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Evelyn “Sophie” Tipton Haislip, step-father, Alton Haislip. He is survived by his loving wife, Vanessa Maxwell Tipton of Lascassas; two sons, William Austin Tipton (Shelby-Mai) of Auburntown and Jacob Harrison Tipton of Lascassas; two grandchildren who were the light of his life: Madilynn Elizabeth Tipton and Mason-Lee William Tipton; brother, Joseph Carl Tipton (Debbie) of Murfreesboro; two sisters, Betty Tipton Chambers (Kenneth) and Linda Tipton Dodson (Dewey) of Murfreesboro; father- and mother-in law, Johnny and Cheryl Maxwell, of Milton; sister-in-law, Amanda Maxwell Perry (Kevin) of Manchester, TN; several nieces and nephews and many cousins and friends who mourn the loss of this hardworking, talented, loving, humble, joyful, generous, God-fearing son, husband, father, brother, uncle and brother in Christ.
Throughout this difficult journey, Bill has never failed to praise God for His goodness. He has walked through the valley with grace and dignity. As long as he was able, Bill continued to share the good news of Christ and of God’s love with everyone with whom he came in contact.
Funeral services will be 11:00 am Monday, September 26, 2022 at North Boulevard Church of Christ with Bro. Ralph Richardson officiating. Interment will follow in Milton Cemetery. Pallbearers include Paul Richardson, Andy Todd, Andy Holder, Kimball Bullington, Tim Haddock, Bill Slagle, Glenn Lewis, Gerald Lester and Tom Morgan. Curry Peacock and Sam Bagwell will serve as honorary pallbearers.
Visitation with his family will be Sunday, September 25, 2022 at North Boulevard Church of Christ from 4:00 pm until 8:00pm and Monday from 10 am until the time of his funeral service
Woodbury Funeral Home, 615-563-2311 or to leave condolences and memories for his family, please visit www.woodburyfuneralhome.net
