William Coplen

United States Navy Veteran William "Bill" Coplen went to his eternal rest on Saturday, July 2, 2016. Born on Sept. 5, 1928 in Sedalia, Missouri and raised in Higginsville, Missouri by his late parents Roy and Mary, Bill is survived by: his loving wife of 61 years, Alma Garcia Coplen; his brother Roy Coplen and his wife Margaret; his sons Richard, Paul and Mark and their wives, whose maiden names are Lorelei Wilson, Amy Robichaux, and Amy Davis; and his six loving grandchildren. Bill significantly enriched the lives of all he touched in his varied roles as son, brother, husband, father, "the fun uncle," grandfather, friend, forester, school supply business owner, Texas Consumer Credit Commissioner, member of the Knights of Columbus, and tireless community volunteer. \r\n Endowed with exceptionally good judgement, foresight, and eyesight, Bill met and quickly married a brainy and beautiful young schoolteacher named Alma Lydia Garcia, who had just graduated from the University of Texas. Bill and Alma said their marriage vows on August 6, 1955 in Neosho, Missouri, thus beginning a wonderful family love story and adventure that integrated the Coplen family into the fabric of communities ranging from Corvallis, Oregon to Owensboro, Kentucky to Houston, Tyler, Carrollton, Kerrville and Austin, Texas. \r\n Bill helped others, secured our great country, and protected the planet in a wide range of professional roles. His post-World War II military service took him around the globe in the defense of the United States. His forestry degree from the University of Missouri took him to Liberia, Africa, raising trees for the Firestone Natural Rubber Company and to Corvallis, Oregon, leading a massive reforestation program. His sense of adventure and support for education took Bill and his young family to Owensboro where he started a school supplies company. His determination to help others then led Bill to Houston where he served as a Consumer Credit Commissioner, preventing loan agencies from conducting unfair loan practices. Bill and Alma then then moved the family to Tyler, building a beautiful lakeside home and giving their grateful sons a wonderful life and the opportunity to share Bill's passion to fish, swim, canoe, and sail. After briefly moving to Carrollton, Bill and Alma retired to Kerrville, where Bill worked many hours as a handyman for the Raphael Community Free Clinic, which provides medical care to low income people. \r\n Bill was raised a Presbyterian, but converted to Catholicism so that his sons would grow up in a unified Catholic family. Bill, a devout weekly church-going Catholic, served as a member of the Knights of Columbus in Kerrville. \r\n Bill's many passions included: enjoying multiple outdoors activities with his family; creating intricate artistic stone carvings that he proudly presented as gifts to family, friends, and the church; meticulously packing the station wagon for cross-country family vacations that dramatically broadened his sons' horizons; cheering his sons and grandchildren to victory in multiple sports, academic, and performance venues; and building speedy canoes and sailboats. \r\nBill's greatest legacy is his positive impact on his extended family and everyone he touched----he taught us all how to love, live, work and play hard, and take care of our families. He was ALWAYS there with a supporting smile and a helping hand. \r\n A celebration of Bill's life will be conducted on Thursday, July 7th, 2016 at 10:00am at the Notre Dame Catholic Church, 909 Main Street, Kerrville, TX. His viewing will be conducted on Wednesday, July 6th from 5-7pm, with a Eulogy at 6pm at Grimes Funeral Chapels. Friends and family are invited to come share stories and celebrate a life well-lived. \r\n The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations in his name be made to the Raphael Community Free Clinic\r\n Bill: Well Done. Be thou at Peace.