William Hopkinson, age 94, died December 11, 2020, at Great Plains Health in North Platte, Nebraska.
Bill was born June 18, 1926, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, the son of Frank Hopkinson and Anne Hunneybell. Frank and Anne had 7 children together and Bill was the caboose (a fitting title for a man who became a railroader).
He married Doris Cooper April 27, 1946, in Winnipeg and they had 5 children together, Audrey Irene, Bernice Audrey, Wayne David, Sylvia Edith and Ronald William. In February 1957 Dad moved the family from Winnipeg to Salt Lake City, Utah. He and Doris divorced in 1971.
In Spring of '71, Hoppy married Pauline Wright in Las Vegas, Nevada. Pauline passed away July 4, 1980, in Des Moines, Iowa. He later married Dorothy McGuan August 7, 1981, in North Platte where he was living. Dorothy passed away May 7, 2014, in Kearney, Nebraska.
Hoppy had a lifelong love of trains. He worked for 4 different railroads, starting as a machinist apprentice with Canadian National Railway in 1943. He later worked for Great Northern, Denver Rio Grande and ended his career with the Union Pacific Railroad, where he retired in August 1986 as Senior Training Officer. Hoppy LOVED railroading!!
Dad also had a love for Mothers Oatmeal Cookies, butterscotch candy, licorice, playing jokes, tickling, playing cards, traveling, camping, genealogy, taking pictures and chasing trains. He could fix anything, make anything and repair everything!!! What is the definition of Dad? He was everything.
Dad is survived by his brother, Jack Hopkinson of Canada; his children, Bernice (Lucky) Young of West Valley, Utah, Wayne (Kristine) Hopkinson of North Platte, Nebraska, and Sylvia Hopkinson of St. George, Utah; stepchildren, Roberta (Stephen) Dircksen of Hermiston, Oregon, Mary (Steven) Rinaldi of West Valley, Utah, Pauline (Maurie) Baker of Lehi, Utah, Barbara Gregory of Hermiston, Oregon, Kathleen (Mike) Smith of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, Thomas (Patti) Salyard of Columbus Nebraska, Patrick (Tracy) Salyard of Florida, Theresa (Douglas) Wadkins of Lexington, Nebraska, and Ann Callow of Overland Park, Kansas; 27 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 4 great great-grandchildren; as well as many other family members.
Dad was also preceded in death by his first wife, Doris; his parents, Frank and Anne; sisters and brothers-in-law, Lucy and Jack Duke, Hilda and Jack Greenhalgh, Katherine and Harry Hale, Anne and Paul Hawley Jr.; brother, Frank Hopkinson; daughter, Audrey Irene; and his son, Ronald William.
Cremation was chosen. Online condolences may be shared at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangement.