Private funeral set for MWA Executive Director Ron Shipman

The life of Macon Water Authority President and Executive Director Ron Shipman will be celebrated in a private ceremony Wednesday morning in Thomson.

Shipman, 65, suffered a sudden medical emergency while running errands Friday evening and passed away enroute to the hospital. 

The consummate executive and businessman not only laid out plans with his family for his intimate funeral, but had implemented a professional succession plan for the authority he led since 2022. 

Authority Chairman Gary Bechtel announced Assistant Executive Director Michel Wanna, a 22-year veteran of the Macon Water Authority, will serve as interim director. 

“Mr. Shipman, in his position, had established succession planning — never anticipating the need, but as a professional manager he knew to be prepared. The Macon Water Authority is prepared, and Assistant Executive Director Mr. Wanna is prepared to occupy the Interim Executive Director position,” said Bechtel, in a news release. “Personally, Ron Shipman was a dear friend, and it is a personal and painful loss.” 

MWA praised Shipman’s “steady leadership and a deep commitment to public service.”

Before stepping in to lead MWA, Shipman held multiple leadership roles at Georgia Power, where he worked for more than three decades before retiring from the electric utility.

“He brought that extensive experience and a collaborative leadership style to the Authority, earning respect from colleagues across the organization and throughout the community,” the authority stated in a news release about his passing.

Shipman also led the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce in an interim capacity before the appointment of current President Jessica Walden, served on the Macon-Bibb County Industrial Authority and chaired the Macon-Bibb County Hospital Authority.

In keeping with his humble leadership style, his obituary did not boast of his numerous professional accomplishments, but focused on his character and love for others and aviation and biology.

“He loved his community, valued meaningful connections, and embraced life with enthusiasm. His faith and willingness to be used wherever God led him reflected the heart he had for service and purpose,” the obituary stated. 

Macon-Bibb County Mayor Lester Miller, who recommended Shipman to MWA, praised his dear friend’s passion, dedication to serving others and resilience even in the face of “undue criticism.”

“Ron’s unwavering commitment to our community inspired many and fostered a spirit of unity and collaboration. He believed in the power of compassion and engagement, always listening to the voices of others and advocating for those who needed it most,” Miller wrote on Facebook.

Beggs Funeral Home in Thomson has charge of arrangements and will be livestreaming Wednesday’s service that begins at 11 a.m. following visitation at 10 a.m.

Shipman’s widow, Anita, and son Ryland, request that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the NAP Foundation Fund through the Community Foundation of Central Georgia that provides scholarships in honor of Shipman’s parents, Adele and Homer L. Shipman Jr. who died before their two sons reached 18 years old. 

— Civic Journalism Senior Fellow Liz Fabian covers Macon-Bibb County government entities for The Macon Newsroom and can be reached at [email protected] or 478-301-2976.