George Williford Tripp

MERIDIANVILLE, Ala. -- George Williford Tripp, of Meridianville, Ala., passed away on Monday, April 22, 2013.

He was born on March 6, 1934, in Portland, to Frank Alton Tripp and Ida L. Norrad Tripp. George attended schools in South Portland. He entered the U.S. Air Force on March 5, 1953, retiring after 28 years as a Senior Master Sgt. He was stationed in bases throughout the world and served in the Vietnam War.

Upon retirement he attended the University of Southern Maine, graduating in 1984, then he went on to the University of Boston School of Theology graduating in 1987 with a master's degree in Theology and Pastoral Psychology.

He was an ordained Elder in the United Methodist Church, and member of the New England Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. He served for 23 years as a Minister. He served in the following Maine churches: Washington Avenue, North Pownal, West Durham, West Cumberland, Pineland Center (as a chaplain), and Chebeague Island. George then went to the North Alabama Conference for two years, and served at the Bradford and the Pearson Chapel United Methodist Churches. He returned to Maine and served at Newport. After retiring from active ministry, he then served at the West Cumberland United Methodist Church for three years.

Mr. Tripp married Norma Louise Drew on Nov. 13, 1954. They were blessed to have been married for 57 years until Norma's passing in 2011. They were blessed with three daughters: Katherine Mary Bonney and husband Peter, Patricia Louise Jackson and husband Wayne, and Barbara Jean Austin and husband Jeffrey; six grandchildren, Rebecca Lynn, Alex Robert and Kayla Marie Jackson, Kara Lee Bonney, Emily Ellen Louise and Katelyn Mary Joanne Austin; and one great-grandchild, Ayden Lee David Walling. He is also survived by his sisters, Marion Harmon and Linda Tripp, his brother, Glenn Tripp; and many nieces and nephews. His was predeceased by his brother, Stephen Tripp.

He wanted everyone to know how much he loved the Lord, the Church and his family and that he attributed all his personal and professional successes in life to the Lord. His life was a testament to the power of Jesus. He touched many lives through his gift to engage anyone in conversation and laughter.

Visiting hours will be held from 4-6 p.m. on Friday, April 26, at the Hobbs Funeral Home, 230 Cottage Rd., South Portland, where a funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 27. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery, South Portland. Online condolences may be expressed at www.hobbsfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in his name to:
The Preachers Aid Society
of New England
P.O. Box 3386
Plymouth, Massachusetts 02361-3386
George Williford Tripp