Stephen Wayne Phipps, 73, of Oak Ridge, passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at the Methodist Medical Center. Stephen, who went by Steve, was born in Anderson, IN, the only son of William Paul Phipps and Tommye Wilma Phipps. He was a veteran and served as an electrician on aircraft carriers and submarines with the US Navy from 1965 to 1969, during the Vietnam War. Upon leaving the service he worked for Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula, MS where he met his future wife. In the early ‘80’s, he accepted a position in Oak Ridge, TN and took a leap, moving his family to the state he would call home. Steve retired in June 2014 from the Y-12 plant where he worked for 34 years as an electrician. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) #760 and had served as a steward for the union. He was a past member of Faith Masonic Lodge #756 and a member of the First Christian Church Disciples of Christ of Oak Ridge. He was a voracious reader, preferring Science Fiction over most other genres, a car enthusiast, having a preference for European Imports and enjoyed the challenge of solving a problem of any kind. He was active with his grandchildren and frequently helped with various projects such as building pinewood derby cars with his grandsons. Steve also had a great love of music, which he shared and passed along to his children and grandchildren. When he was younger, he taught himself to play the acoustic guitar which he would use to entertain his family on special occasions. He also had an incredible singing voice and shared his talent in “Camelot” at The Oak Ridge Playhouse in the 1980’s. Steve loved to cook and had great skill with making many different dishes. He frequently grew his own hot peppers to spice up meals he would cook for his family. He was a world traveler and loved traveling with his wife and showing her some of the places he visited during his military service. Steve made friends easily and all would agree that he loved a good debate. He will be greatly missed. Steve is survived by his wife of 43 years, Mary Phipps; daughters, Patricia Kellner and husband Robert of Atlanta, GA and Gillian Phipps of Madison, WI; 4 grandsons, Brennan, Ryan and Dalton Kellner and Nathaniel Burkett and 2 granddaughters, Colleen Kellner and Jordan Burkett, as well as numerous cousins and extended family. He is also survived by his loyal canine companion, Cha-Cha. In keeping with his wishes, Steve will be cremated. A graveside service with military honors for family and friends will be held at 2pm on Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at the East Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Knoxville, TN. Memorials in his memory can be made to the American Cancer Society or to Alzheimer’s TN. An online guestbook can be signed at www.weatherfordmortuary.com.