A well-known director of a Beccles building company who devoted his time to helping local organisations and charitable causes has died aged 96.

Beccles & Bungay Journal: Dennis Hipperson.Dennis Hipperson. (Image: Archant)

Dennis Hipperson, director with the builders G H Hipperson and Sons Ltd, was born in Southampton but moved to Beccles with his family in the early 1920s where he lived for the rest of his life.

He attended the Sir John Leman High School where he excelled both in academic subjects and sport and became head boy. He left school in July 1937 and worked with his father Percy at the building company until joining the RAF in 1940 where he attained the rank of corporal.

During the Second World War, when on leave, he married his childhood sweetheart Molly Moyes in St Michael’s Church on December 20, 1941.

He was initially stationed at Pershore, Worcestershire, before being sent abroad to Egypt, Palestine and Turkey amongst others. He also passed through Greece and Italy towards the end of the war and he retained a great affection for both countries and visited them many times in later years.

When he left the RAF in 1945 he joined his father in G H Hipperson which was situated at the bottom of Station Road. Under his leadership, the company continued to modernise and expand and at one time had around 35 full time employees.

At one time he was also involved with around 27 organisations. He was a founder member of the Beccles Round Table, chairman and vice chairman of the Beccles Welfare Vehicle Trust for 25 years until 1989, a Beccles Feoffee and a governor at the Sir John Leman. He was a keen gardener and an active member of the Beccles Horticultural Society, he worked for the Samaritans and was president of the Beccles branch of the Eastern Federation of Building Trades Employers.

He donated blood from 1949 to 1981 and in 1980 he received a gold award from the National Blood Transfusion Service.

In the 1970s, with three other local businessmen, he formed Dencora, which was to become a very successful property company with far reaching interests.

A new Beccles housing development was named Hipperson Close in recognition of his contribution to the development of Beccles in April this year, with Mr Hipperson proudly attending the official opening.

The couple lived in Ringsfield Road until 2010, after which time Mr Hipperson moved to sheltered accommodation in Abbeyfield before moving to Heathcote Nursing Home in Norwich until his death on October 26. He leaves behind two sons John and Stephen. His wife passed away in 2012.

A service of thanksgiving was held at St Michael’s Church on November 9 and was attended by 65 family members, friends and acquaintances.