Emmit Willard Hipps, 89, of Valley Center, Kansas, passed away on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. He was born in Pottsville, Arkansas to John Willis Hipps Jr. and Laura Alice (Lewallen) Hipps. Being raised in Pope County, Arkansas, Emmit met and married the love of his life, Nina Jean (McAnulty) Hipps on February 14, 1951, in Russellville. Emmit served in the United States Army in the Korean War Era and was released Feb. 13, 1953. He and Nina moved to Wichita, Kansas then to Valley Center where they raised their family, attended church, played music and remained till his passing. He worked at Beech Aircraft where he retired after 42 years of service.
Emmit received his pilot’s license in 1978 and was a member of the Beech Flying Club. His great love for music where he played in country western groups up until this last year, playing his steel guitar, fiddle (violin), mandolin and standard guitar. Even though living in town, he also had his farm where he loved farming, hay crops, cattle and horses. The family did Bit’n Spur shows with their horses. He enjoyed his family time with his children and grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his beautiful wife Nina Hipps in 2012, his parents John and Laura Hipps, 10 siblings: Myrtle Minor, William Elton Hipps Sr, Earl B. Hipps, James Lester Hipps, Chester Lee Hipps, Hoyt Anison Hipps, L C Hipps, Jewel Alma Carson, Bryant Hipps, and Oida Adkison.
Emmit is survived by his son Steve (Nikki) Hipps of Valley Center, daughter Brenda Hipps (Lee Weens) of Inman; grandchildren Heather (Hipps) Thomasson, Jarrod (Jessica) Hipps, Jayce Hipps, Chelsey Bates and Shane Ketron; great grandchildren Sullivan Thomasson, Kellen Hipps, Caden Hipps, Coran Hipps, Jaina Hipps, Daniel Ketron, Dylan Ketron and Dalton Bates; life friend Eleanor C. Chavez of Wichita; nieces, nephews, other family and friends.
Service 11:00 a.m., Thursday, September 5 at Baker Funeral Home, 100 S. Cedar, Valley Center with Ed Johnson officiating. Graveside will follow at the Valley Center Memorial Cemetery.
Condolences may be left for the family at www.bakerfhvc.com.