Willie May Hopkins

Willie May Hopkins, 92, of Stockton, Missouri passed away Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Big Spring Care Center in Humansville. He was one of 3 children born to John William and Rebecca Ruth Hopkins in Heavener, Oklahoma.Willie and Viola were married October 5, 1942. She preceded him in death July 12, 2013 after 70 years of marriage. Four months after their wedding Willie was inducted into the U.S. Army Air Force where he served in the Pacific during WW II until Honorably Discharged on December 31, 1945.Willie was a machinist for the Fairbanks-Morse Company in Kansas City, Kansas for his career. He and Viola raised their 6 children in the Kansas City area moving to Stockton upon retirement in 1981.Family was very important to Willie and he maintained relationships with each child, their spouses, and his grandchildren who always looked forward to spending weekends and summer vacations with Grandpa and Grandma.He taught himself to play the guitar at the age of 72 so that he could sing and play at local nursing homes with his Ozark Gospel Singers. He read his Bible daily and was a prayer warrior for his family and friends. He was a proficient craftsman at woodworking making many items for his home and his family. The grandchildren looked forward to the tractor and trailer rides, checking the cows, and helping with gardening and yardwork.Willie was preceded in death by his parents; wife Viola; son Gary Hopkins; daughter Loretta Wilson; son-in-law Dennis Reed; his brother Lee Hopkins and his sister Luellen Cantrell.He is survived by his son William Hopkins and his wife Sharon of Branson; son Egial Hopkins and his wife Deborah of Bates City; son Oran Hopkins and his wife Diana of Liberty; daughter Sherlin Reed of Bolivar; son-in-law Dwayne Wilson of Stockton; daughter-in-law Nita Hopkins of Kearney; grandchildren Tamara Baker, Kevin Hopkins, Alesia House, Gina Curnow, Christopher Wilson, Mandi Mossberger, Heather Bergman, Jesse Hopkins, Cody Hopkins, Brandi Hopkins, Wendy McClellan; 18 great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters-in-laws; numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.Funeral services for Willie Hopkins will be held 2 PM Saturday, April 5, 2014 at the Church on the Hill in Stockton officiated by Pastor Geral Pugh with burial to follow at Alder Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 1-2 PM prior to the service.Online condolences may be submitted at www.murrayfuneralhomes.com. PDF Printable Version

Willie May Hopkins

May 1, 1921 - April 1, 2014