William Compton Lipsey was born on January 23, 1903. He was born to John Arthur Lipsey (October 1, 1864 – March 30, 1930) and Clara Martha Harris Lipsey (July 26, 1875 – April 27, 1903). While living in Columbus Mississippi, John and Clara Lipsey had four children: Robert Lynn Lipsey (March 15, 1896 – May 18, 1966), Sarah Augusta Brewer (March 5, 1898 – March 5, 1946), John Arthur Lipsey Jr. (August 28, 1900 – March 27 1949), and William Compton Lipsey (January 23, 1903 – April 17, 1943).
During William’s childhood, it is likely Augusta Harris, his maternal grandmother, was active in his life. This is due to the fact that on Rosetta Lipsey, his wife, listed Augusta as William’s mother on an Affidavit of Claimant form.
William Lipsey went to Vanderbilt University and appears in the 1925 yearbook. After graduating from Vanderbilt, William was a prominent dentist in Columbus, Mississippi. However, according to the 1930 Federal Census, William was a bookkeeper. William married and divorced Edith Ann Beard. His second wife was Rosetta Orlynne Marlin Lipsey. William and Rosetta were married on August 20, 1932 in Hot Springs, Arkansas. When he died, the two were separated due to William’s unemployment prior to his enlistment. |