Dr. William Reinhard Rippey, Sr., D.V.M., passed away on Friday, October 23, 2015 at Halifax Hospice Care Center in Port Orange, Florida surrounded by his family.

He was born on August 4, 1937 in Daytona Beach, to Arthur and Catherine Rippey (delivered by his maternal grandmother, Ruth Heisser).

Bill graduated from Mainland High School in 1956 where he was active in sports which afforded him the opportunity to attend Perkinson Junior College on a football scholarship. He then attended the University of Florida and graduated from Auburn University School of Veterinarian Medicine in 1963. Bill founded Colonial Animal Clinic in 1968 in South Daytona, where he practiced for 44 years; He was joined by his son in 1995.

While at Auburn University he met Alice, his wife of 53 years on a blind date. They have two children, William R. Rippey Jr. and Patricia Marie Rippey.

Bill was a member of Central Baptist Church, serving on many levels, notably Lifetime Deacon and the Board of Trustees. He was also active in the Halifax Area Kiwanis Club serving as President. Bill sat on the board of WORC and was a member of the FVMA and AVMA. He served in the Naval Reserves for 7 years.

Bill loved his family and being outdoors boating, skiing, gardening and taking photographs. He always loved having friends and family in his home and in his life. Most of all, Bill loved practicing veterinary medicine.

He is survived by his beloved wife Alice, his son William Jr. (Natasha) and his three children (Rein, Clay and Ramsey), his daughter Patricia and his sister Shirley (Stanley) Clark. He was preceded in death by his younger sister Sherry (Richard) Campbell. His memory will be cherished by his family and friends.

A celebration of life with a gathering of family and friends will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, October 30, 2015 at the Central Baptist Church, 142 Fairview Avenue, Daytona Beach, followed by a 2 p.m. memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Halifax Humane Society (halifaxhumanesociety.org) or Central Baptist Church.Condolences may be shared with the family through this online guestbook.