Woodfin Lipham

Canton - Woodfin Emmett "Woody" Lipham, age 98, passed away on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at his residence.

A native of Colquitt County, Georgia, he was a son of the late Henry Ross and Sarah Jane Arrington Lipham. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by an infant son, David Woodfin Lipham; seven sisters; and two brothers.

Woody graduated from Lagrange Georgia High School, two years at North Georgia College, and from the University of Georgia. He worked delivering the United States Mail to fund his college education. One of his many accomplishments was perfect attendance from first grade through college. Following college, he joined the United States Army and retired in 1975 from the reserves as Lieutenant Colonel. Woody became one of the Army's first "computer geeks" in the 1940's when very few people even knew what a "computer geek" was. He also set up the first computer for the Army to coordinate supplies to the South Pacific during the war. After the war, Woody set up the first computerized payroll system for Champion Paper before retiring from Champion International, in 1974, after 28 years of service. He later became an insurance agent with Jefferson Standard. Woody was a member of the Canton Lion's Club and of Canton Central United Methodist Church. Two of his favorite hobbies were golfing and spending time at Lake Chatuge in Hayesville.

He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Jewell White Lipham; one daughter, Jean Oates (Ronald) of Hendersonville; three sons, Dr. Harry G. Lipham (Eileen) of Waynesville, Ray B. Lipham (Linda) of Germantown, Tennessee, and Neal E. Lipham (Lisa) of Canton; ten grandchildren; and ten great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at the Canton Central United Methodist Church with the Reverend Paul Brown officiating. Military honors will be presented. Woody's family will receive friends immediately following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Canton Central United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 792, Canton, NC 28716.

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