William “Bill” Shipp, a journalist known for his dedication to breaking news and his sometimes harsh critiques of politicians, passed away at the age of 89. The cause of his death has not been disclosed.

Shipp, who was born in Marietta in 1933, rose to prominence in 1953 as an editor for the University of Georgia’s student newspaper, The Red and Black. He gained attention for his articles criticizing then-Governor Herman Talmadge and the university system regents, including influential figure Roy Harris, for obstructing the admission of Black applicant Horace Ward to the university’s law school.

As a result of his controversial reporting, Shipp and his colleague Walker Lundy faced backlash from politicians and administrators who attempted to defund the paper, censor its content, and terminate their positions. In response, both editors resigned, and Shipp enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Following his time at The Red and Black, Shipp joined The Atlanta Constitution in 1956 with the goal of working under esteemed editor Ralph McGill. He remained with the publication, which later merged with The Atlanta Journal, until 1987.

Throughout his career, Shipp covered significant events such as the Civil Rights Movement, served as the state editor overseeing a network of 100 correspondents, and established himself as one of Georgia’s leading political journalists. Notably, Shipp was the first to report on Jimmy Carter’s presidential aspirations, a revelation that initially met skepticism even within the state.

After leaving the newspaper in 1987, Shipp launched a political newsletter that evolved into an innovative online news platform called “Bill Shipp’s Georgia.” He continued to write biweekly columns post-selling the newsletter and appeared as a panelist on WAGA-TV’s The Georgia Gang, a weekly program focusing on state politics.

Shipp authored two books during his career. His first book, “Murder at Broad River Bridge: The Slaying of Lemuel Penn by Members of the Ku Klux Klan,” was published in 1981, recounting Penn’s tragic death in 1964. Additionally, Shipp released a collection of his works titled “The Ape-Slayer and Other Snapshots” in 1997.

Known for his contentious relationships with prominent politicians, Shipp faced criticism from figures like Gov. Zell Miller, who publicly expressed both disdain and admiration for the journalist. Sonny Perdue, Georgia’s inaugural Republican governor, took a more direct approach by instructing his staff not to engage with Shipp upon assuming office in 2003.

Despite his tumultuous interactions with politicians, Shipp was honored by several former governors and other dignitaries at his 80th birthday celebration in 2013. The gathering included notable figures such as Max Cleland, Sam Olens, and Vince Dooley.

Reflecting on the event, Shipp’s friend Maria Saporta recalled him whispering, “Do you think all these people would have shown up if I were still writing my column?”