William Oren Hopper, 88, went to meet the Lord Wednesday, November 11, 2015, in Cullman. He was born on December 3, 1926, in Corona, Ala., the son of Rev. John Ora Hopper and Thelma Barnes Hopper. In 1945, he graduated from Central High School and joined the Army during World War II, where he served as a TEC 5 Medical Technician in Namur, Belgium, and Stuttgart, Germany.
On April 1, 1949, he married Beatrice Morris of Cullman. He worked for nine years in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at Ethyl Corporation before he and Beatrice moved to Cullman. He worked at Southeastern Metal in Birmingham for 18 years and at Nicholson File in Cullman for 18 years until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of Spirit Life Church of God. He dedicated himself to Bible study and prayer, reading the Bible through 32 times. He will be remembered for his love of God, family, fishing and gardening, and for his sense of humor. To everyone who knew him, he will always be a sweet man. Cullman Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Ruth Hopper Sylvest; his brothers, Thomas E. Hopper and John David Hopper; and his loving wife of 46 years, Beatrice Morris Hopper.
He is survived by his two daughters, Beverly Catina Gaddy (Joel) of Gaffney, S.C., and Beatrice Kaye Garner (Windell) of Jonesboro, Georgia. His loves were his grandchildren, Serena, Christopher and David. His greatest loves were his great-grandchildren, Malena, Kyle, Kaleb and Callan. Also surviving are two brothers; and numerous nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, November 13, at the Cullman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, Rev. Tim Herron officiating.
