Hopkins, William July 3, 1933 - July 4, 2020

William E. (Bill) Hopkins was born July 3, 1933 in Fair Play, Missouri to Henry and Cloa Hopkins.  He passed away at his home in Osceola, Missouri July 4, 2020 at the age of 87 years and 1 day old.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, Henry and Cloa Hopkins; sisters, Alice Schroder, Veta Sanders, Mildred Wilder and Janet Coffin; brothers, John Hopkins and Jack Hopkins; daughters, Joyce Hopkins and Linda Le An and a grandson, Joshua Dorsey.

Bill married Vergie Irene Larcom on May 27, 1953 and in June of 1953 He was drafted into the United States Army and was shipped out to Camp Crowder, Missouri and then on to Camp Polk, Louisiana where he served as a military police and Vergie joined him 6 weeks later.  In April of 1955 Bill was honorable discharged from active duty.  Bill and Vergie were blessed with 7 daughters, Beverly Jean, Patricia Carol, Linda Marie, Joyce Irene, Sandra Renee, Sheryl Ann and Karen Beth.

He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Vergie Irene Hopkins; sister, Wilma Boyer; daughters, Beverly Jean Simmons, Patricia Carol Hopkins, Sandra Renee Scott, Sheryl Ann Cox and husband Kevin and Karen Beth Belisle and husband John Marc; 14 grandchildren, Kimberly Dill and husband Jamie Holdren, Edie Binder and husband Rusty, Joni Pedro and husband Kevin, Sara Hartley, Catherine Le An, Dawn Brintle and husband Rodney, Denise Harris and husband James, Jenna Scott, Jason Conduff, Amanda Conduff, Jeremy Conduff and wife Toriana, Heather Evans and husband Jesse, Cody Belisle and wife Krissy and Nicole Belisle; 35 great grandchildren and 5 great-great grandchildren.

Bill worked numerous jobs in factories in the early years, but in the later years before he retired he ran his own sawmill, sawing railroad ties for the railroad.  He also had a small engine shop and arcade in Humansville, Missouri.

He also had a love of country music.  Bill played music with different musicians all around the area, playing his flat top guitar and singing those old country songs.  His daughters Jeanie and Sandy joined him in singing with his bands when they were 9 and 12 years old.  He also enjoyed playing flat top guitar and singing at home with the family where Sheryl would also sing and Patty would play flat top guitar or her mandolin.

During Bill and Vergie’s life together they have enjoyed many family vacations, going to grandkids and great grandkids ball games, going to their granddaughters show and watching her perform with her band and dancing.

Bill was loved by all that knew him.  He was larger than life to his family and could always put a smile on your face.  He was our hero.  If you needed him, he would be there at the drop of a hat.

He will forever be loved and missed by all.