William Dennis Rippy M.D., known as “Doc”, age 103, was born in Gibsonville, NC on January 13, 1922. He passed on January 2, 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 5, 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 24, from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Elon Community Church located at 271 N Williamson Ave, Elon, NC 27244.
