Ulis Flippin

Ulis Harlin Flippin, 88, passed away on May 24, 2016. A visitation will be held on Thursday, May 26, from 6-8pm, at Speaks, 18020 E. 39th St, Independence, MO. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 27, at 10am, at the chapel. He will be laid to rest on Saturday, May 28, at 11am, in Flippin Cemetery, Flippin, Arkansas.

Ulis was born in rural Arkansas on March 30, 1928, to William and Gladys (Pace) Waggoner. He was class Salutatorian of his high school in Cotter, AR - the Trout Capital of the World! - but was unable to attend his graduation due to enlisting in the U.S. Army. He was stationed overseas from 1946 - 1949, and proudly worked with the Army Corps of Engineers. During that time, he often sent letters to Delberta Lee, a young lady he knew from back home. After honorable discharge, he and Delberta married in Pea Ridge, AR, on July 22, 1950. On the drive back from their honeymoon, their car broke down, so they arrived into town in fashion on the back of a tow truck. Ulis received an employment offer in Kansas City, so he and his new bride packed up their belongings and moved out of the Ozarks. They began their family, and to this union were born four children.

Ulis worked for Rock Island Railroad as a foreman and supervisor for many years, and he would travel from Texas to Canada and back during wheat harvests, making sure the train’s mechanics worked smoothly. He retired from the Santa Fe Railroad Company as a Master Mechanic.

After retirement, Ulis would keep his mind and hands busy by working on cars, or diesel motors, or anything that could be taken apart, just so he could find out how to put it back together. He also liked gardening, hunting (squirrels, especially), fishing, reading, playing Canasta or Poker, and watching his grandchildren at sporting events. Ulis enjoyed life, his family, and his grandchildren, and he loved to make them laugh. He was intelligent, caring, inventive, devoted, and funny.

Ulis was preceded in death by his wife, Delberta; infant son, Dennis Ray Flippin; father, William J. Waggoner; mother, Gladys Pace Flippin; step-father, Luster Flippin; step-mother, Mildred Waggoner; parents-in-law, Dennis and Ida Lee; and siblings, Grace “Arlene” Raithel, Wilma “Billie” Mantle, William J. “Butch” Waggoner, Willard G. “Corky” Waggoner, Ann Carroll, L.T. Flippin, and Lucien “Mickey” Flippin.

Ulis is survived by his family: son, Harlin Wayne (Loyce) Flippin, son, Arnold (Connie) Flippin, and daughter, Delida (Skip) Williams; grandchildren, Andrew Wayne (Steffanie) Flippin, Rebecca Michelle “Becky” (Derek) Williams, Courtney Jane (Dr. Daniel) Krus; Mallory Eryn (Aaron) Layendecker; Dr. Christopher Jeffrey (Kayla) Olson; Dr. Silas “Seth” Williams IV (Ronelle), Brandie (Chris) Vasek, Bryce (Ellie) Williams, Bailey (Chad) Harmon; great-grandchildren, Drew, Kathryn, & McKinley Flippin, Nolan, Charlotte & Archer Williams, Ainsley Layendecker, Kennedy Vasek, Bryson Williams, and Silas Williams V; sisters, Betty Treat, Carol Branson, and Wanda Bunch; sisters-in-law, Virginia Parnell, Patsy Massey, Perky Poe, Eunice Flippin McCartney, Virgina Edmister; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other family who will miss him dearly.

The family wishes to extend a heartfelt thanks to the staff at Centerpoint Hospital, the Groves, and the Groves Hospice for their care and attention to Ulis during his final days. The kindness and compassion shown will always be remembered.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Leukemia Foundation in honor of Ulis’s wife, Delberta.

Online condolences may be left at www.speakschapel.com (Arr: Speaks 816-373-3600)