William "Pops" Hopson

William Nelton “Pops” Hopson, 74, of Abbott passed away Wednesday, May 4, 2011, in Abbott. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 6, at Vaughan Cemetery in Vaughan. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, May 7, at Church on The Hill in Hillsboro. Officiating both services will be Rev. Mike Reynolds.

William was born October 30, 1936 in Gatesville, where he lived as a young child, the son of William Manning and Annie Oleta (Trammell) Hopson. He later moved to Blum and then to the Hillsboro area. He worked with his father on a dairy farm.

On July 17, 1958 he married Ruby Mae Estes and she preceded him in death on January 25, 1994. He enlisted in the United States Army on July 28, 1959 and was honorably discharged on July 27, 1962 in Fort Polk, LA. For 14 years, he was a night stocker at SafeWay.

An avid gardener, William loved to cook and he loved animals. He was very much a people person. He was a member of Church on The Hill Foursquare Gospel Church in Hillsboro.

Also preceding him in death were his parents and a brother, Leon Hopson.

Survivors include his four children, Theresa Ann Romano and husband, Scott, of Abbott, La Donna Kay Sheffield and husband, Michael, of Hillsboro, Robert Manning Hopson and wife, Molly, of Bynum, and Frank Lockett and wife, Windy, of Fort Worth; sister, Leta Ann Bird and husband, Eddie, of Hillsboro; five grandchildren, Rodney Banik and wife, Sandy, of Corsicana, Susan Brisco and husband, Cole, of Malone, Faith and Praise Hopson both of Bynum, and Matthew Sheffield of Hillsboro; and four great-grandchildren, Skyler, Summer, Sheridan, and Nikki Brisco.

Memorials may be made to the Vaughan Cemetery Association, 497 HCR 3111 W, Abbott, TX 76621.

Friday May 6, 2011 , 3:00 p.m. at Vaughan Cemetery

Saturday May 7, 2011 , 2:00 p.m. at Church on The Hill