Buford Wiley Shipley, Sr.

Services for Buford Wiley Shipley, Sr. of Tyler will be held 3:00 PM Tuesday, June 9, 2026 at the Chapel of Rader Funeral Home in Kilgore with Rev. Riley Pippen officiating. Burial will be held at Dallas – Fort Worth National Cemetery at a later date.

Buford was born in Avinger Texas to Hubert and Mildred (Williams) Shipley. He was the oldest of five children. Buford was followed by three girls, Leona, Ruth, and Sue. The youngest was his brother Robert. Now, Buford was the last surviving sibling.

Buford grew up working, hauling pulp wood with his father. At the age of 15 he left home to go to San Antonio, seeking work so he could send money home to help support the younger ones. He went to work at Alamo Welding and Boiler Works. However, he soon realized those young men in uniform in San Antonio had it better than he did-at least they had three squares a day. Because he was under age, he had to convinced his mom to sign for him to join the Army National Guard.

Within a year of joining the Army National Guard Buford enlisted in the Air Force. He was initially assigned to the Air Police. He was sent to Chumant Air Base France as an Air Police. He was responsible for patrolling the airfield and runway; he was first on the scene at a fatal fighter crash at Chumant. Buford was doused with foam by the arriving fire department, who didn’t realize he was there. Even so, he remained on the scene for hours until he was relieved. He later transitioned to Heavy Equipment Operator. He built the fighter gun range at Chumant Air Base.

When Buford returned to the US he was assigned to Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma. He met my mom Lena Miller in Vernon TX and they married in 1959. I was born in 1961. By 1963, when my sister, Susie was born, he had already separated from the Air Force.

Buford worked in Vernon at a gas station, and at the feedlot, where SB Middlebrook took Buford under his wing. SB told Buford he needed to go into business for himself, so Buford bought a truck and started hauling cattle. Ultimately he bought and sold many trucks, owning five at the peak. He was always an owner operator, but an owner with hired drivers, also. He transitioned from hauling cattle to hauling heavy equipment.

He sold his trucks during the Arab Oil Embargo of 1974, when I was 13.

From trucking he went on to become Shop Foreman, Service Manager, and Outside Salesman for a number of companies: Texas Kenworth, the International Harvester Dealership, Groendyke Transport, and Carl Owen Paint and Body. Additionally, he ran Buford’s Diesel Service for a period of years.

After his trucking career, Buford rejoined the military, initially through the Army National Guard, before transitioning to the Army Reserves. Buford retired as a Sergeant Major (E-9) from the Army School in Beaumont.

Buford is a 32nd degree Master Mason and served as the Worshipful Master of Longview Lodge #404, and as the District Deputy Grand Master for his District.

Buford developed two major hobbies in his later years. He enjoyed woodworking. He built the China Hutch for Gina and I, which we still treasure. He also enjoyed restoring antique cars. He built some beauties, his 1961 T-Bird restoration was phenomenal.

However, Buford developed one additional guide for his life. In the early 1970s we attended Wesley United Methodist Church in Longview. Buford became close with the pastor, Brother Ben Pierce. Buford completely turned his life to the Lord. Buford was called to share the gospel and to witness to others. Buford opened a Truckers’ Church, where he would carry the message at the Truck Stop in Longview. He served on the Board of Trustees at his church. When we arranged to get him into the Watkins-Logan Texas State Veterans Home (the Gold standard nursing facility—my opinion) Buford said, “Well maybe I can witness to someone there.” He did witness, and he did find his family of believers at Watkins-Logan.

Buford is survived by his daughter, Susie Ragland, son, Buford Shipley, Jr. and wife Gina, grandson, Justin Christian and wife Jackie; great grandchildren, Aaron Christian and Kayla Christian. His cousin, Lewis Shipley, as well as nieces, Tina Webb and Raylene Nail and nephews, Charles Smith and John Ray Freeman. He is also survived by his very close and dearest friend, Lola Simpson who along with her daughter Tammy Kirkland were there with him at his passing,

Our Dad worked hard all his life. He was a self-made man, rising to prominent businessman, Masonic leader, church leader, and military retiree, retiring at the highest enlisted rank. He was an honest man who provided well for his family. He was a man of faith who instilled morals and virtue in us. He was ready to meet his Maker.