Bill Jim Hopper, 81 of Salina, Kansas and formerly of Russell, Kansas died Sunday, April 29, 2012 at the Presbyterian Manor in Salina, Kansas

Bill was born July 19, 1930, at Cotter, Arkansas, the son of Eatman and Essie (Thomas) Hopper.  He grew up in the Gassville – Mountain Home area and graduated from Cotter Home High School.

Bill served his country in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, stationed at Ft. Chaffee.

Bill was united in marriage to Clara Lucille Cox on April 4, 1953 in Mountain Home, Arkansas.  This union was blessed with four children; Janice, Randy, Leanna and Donna.
Clara preceded him in death on August 15, 1995.

Bill and his family lived in Albuquerque, New Mexico for over 20 years where he was a car salesman, owned and operated a car lot and gas station.  Then in 1973, they moved to Russell, Kansas where Bill was the owner and operator of the Bill Hopper Ford Dealership for over 25 years.  Later he was the owner of H n H Car Lot.

Bill enjoyed life and was very giving to others and his community.  He was a member of the Russell Elks Lodge, life member of the Russell V.F.W. Post # 6240 and American Legion Post #99, and the Shrine’s A&A Scottish Rite.  He loved socializing, having coffee with the guys, dancing, playing cards, golf, fishing, hunting, going out to eat, refereeing in sports, bowling, listening to country music, horse and dog races and playing pool.

Surviving family include his daughters, Janice Hansen (Skip) of Brookville, Kansas and Leanna Felix (Larry) of Ottawa, Kansas; brothers, Bobby Hopper of Springdale, Arkansas and Buddy Hopper of Dorrance, Kansas; sister, Beverly Morton of Mountain Home, Arkansas; three grandchildren, Michael Hansen, Jessica Crocker and Brian Felix, great granddaughter Kaylee Felix.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son Randy Hopper, daughter Donna Hopper and granddaughter, Christina Hopper.

Celebration of Bill’s Life will be held at 10:30 A.M. Thursday, May 3, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell.  Burial will follow at the Russell City Cemetery where the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240 Honor Guard will be conducting military rites.  Visitation will be from 9 AM to 8 PM Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary.  A memorial has been established with the Russell County Area Community Foundation.  Contributions and condolences may be sent in care to Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary, who is in charge of these funeral arrangements.