William Philip Pipkin, 1927 Funeral Services were conducted in the Methodist Church, Monday afternoon at 3:00 for Reverend William Philip Pipkin, long a resident of Antlers and Southeast Oklahoma dating back before statehood, who died shortly after the noon hour Sunday. He had been in a critical condition for several days and his passing was momentarily expected, and his children were at his bedside when the end came. The funeral services were conducted by the Reverend J.R. Hedges, pastor of the Methodist Church, assisted by Dr. E. Brantly of the Presbyterian Church, Presiding Elder J.P. Atkins, Reverend D.D. Mullins, Reverend N.F. Peak of Valliant and Reverend A.G. White of Grant. Coming to Antlers in 1903 as a presiding elder of the Choctaw district of the Methodist Conference, as the Indian Methodist Conference, he devoted all his time and attention to the performance of religious duties, which took him to various parts of the southeast part of the state. He was a familiar figure at all gatherings of worship before he was stricken with paralysis fifteen years ago. His devotion to duties as a presiding edler and his conscientious efforts to spread the Gospel among the Choctaw Indians endeared him to this tribe who loved and respected him. Through his earnest teachings of the Word of God, many Indians were Christianized. About a year ago, Reverend Pipkin, while attending a Methodist Conference at Boswell, received his second severe stroke of paralysis and since that time he had been unable to gain his former health. Up to that time he had been doing gratuitous work, filling many of the pulpits of the local circuit. For a time after this sudden attack, he persisted in filling several appointments but was later forced to abandon the practice when his physical condition was such that he was unable to carry on any longer. It had been through shear physical effort that he had continued to pursue his work following the sudden stroke at Boswell. Reverend Pipkin was licensed to preach August 4th, 1884 at Vinita, Indian Territory, joining the Indian Mission Conference at Vinita in 1887 and served four years. He was next appointed to the Canadian circuit which he served two years, at which time the circuit was divided and the northern half named Brushy Mountain Circuit. He served this new circuit two years. He then served the following places: Fort Gibson, two years; Paoll, three years; Noble, Oklahoma Territory, three years. At that time he was made the presiding elder of the Choctaw District in 1903 which he served four years. He then served one year each at the following stations: Hugo, Afton & Wagoner. Reverend Pipkin Pipkin would have reached his 75th birthday had he lived until May 31st. He was born in St. Louis County, Missouri, May 31, 1852, being the last child in a family of eight children. His father, Paris Pipkin was married to Elizabeth F. Berry in 1832. The elder Pipkin served as a judge of St. Louis County Missouri for many years. Reverend Pipkin's grandfather, Philip Pipkin was a Colonel in General Andrew Jackson's army that overwhelmingly defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812. Reverend Pipkin married Miss Elizabeth Wingfield at Vinita in 1875, and to this union were born five children. Mrs. Pipkin preceded her husband to the Great beyond a few years ago. Reverend Pipkin is survived by his sister, Mrs. Mattie Agnew of St. Louis, Missouri, and two children: Paris of Antlers and Mrs. L.D. Anderson of Pine Valley (OK) and thirteen grandchildren. Two of his grandchildren live in Pauls Valley. The Pipkin's originally came from Tennessee and belonged to that early family of hardy pioneers that blazed the way to the new west. A large host of friends who loved him and knew him as a true friend gathered at the Methodist Church and paid their last homage to one who had devoted more than half of his life to serving his fellowmen. His remains were laid away in the Antlers Cemetery in the Pipkin lot. [contributed by William Philip Pipkin]