William "Bill" Theodore Hoppe

WillIam “Bill” Hoppe of Raleigh passed away on Tuesday July 14, 2025 at the age of 95. He was born on March 13, 1931 in LaGrange, Illinois where he grew up until seventh grade when the family moved to Baltimore, Maryland.

He was married to Patricia “Tish” Palmer Hoppe for 70 years. The faithfulness, steadfastness, and influence to his family, friends, and coworkers over that dramatic length of time, are nothing short of astounding and would take pages to enumerate.

Bill played football for Florida State and graduated from the University of Maryland where he was a Kappa Alpha fraternity member. He did a tour of duty in the early 1950’s in Japan where he played football and baseball for the U.S. Army. His corporate career was capstoned as the Vice President of Worldwide Manufacturing for Preformed Line Products, Inc. where he lead two decades of expansion in multiple countries including the multiphase manufacturing facility located in Albemarle, North Carolina. The consummate athlete, he continued to hone his exceptional golf game into his 90’s as well as participating in multiple field events with the Senior Olympics, at times at the national level. His most outstanding achievement however, was the last twelve years of Tishs’ life, as her caregiver, after she became wheelchair bound and ultimately home bound. “There is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for another” John 15:13

He is preceded in death by his wife Tish (as she requested), parents Frank and Louise Hoppe, and his brother “Bud” Hoppe (at age 24).

Bill is survived by his son Mike (and Noel) Hoppe, daughter Susan (and Steve) Pepe, grand-daughter Jenna (and Jonas) Petersen, and great grandsons Jax and Kade Petersen.

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations can be made in Bill’s name to a charity of your choosing.

The family will be holding a private graveside service with full military honors.

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