William Merle Coppinger

WILLIAM MERLE "BILL" COPPINGER Funeral services for lifelong Cortez resident William Merle "Bill" Coppinger will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 23 at the Lighthouse Baptist Church with Pastor Andrew Reed officiating. Interment will follow at Arriola Cemetery with Military Honors provided by Ute Mountain American Legion Post #75. Visitation has been set for Monday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at Ertel Memorial Chapel. Bill was born to Merle Edgar and Elise Marie (Carlson) Coppinger on August 14, 1931 in Cortez. He passed away at his home on Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the age of 77. Bill proudly served his country during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army stationed at Fort Carson. He married Norma Jean Milligan on November 9, 1952 in Aztec, N.M. Bill loved the Colorado outdoors and enjoyed time spent hunting, fishing and jeeping. Bill was most proud of his work history with Montezuma County working as a heavy equipment operator. At the time of his retirement, Bill was awarded with a plaque honoring him for 50 years of dedicated service. This meant a great deal to him. Surviving Bill are his wife of 55 years, Norma Coppinger of Cortez; his children, Darrell Coppinger and wife, Kathy of Cortez, Ginger Sapp and husband, Lew of Mancos, and Donald Coppinger and wife, Laura of Neosho, Mo.; by four grandchildren, Terra Sapp of Cortez, Tamis Sapp and boyfriend, Jeromy Cooper of Bayfield, Colo., Justin Coppinger and Brianna Coppinger both of Neosho, Mo.; and by his sister, Luella Lawson and husband, Albert of Cortez. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; by a daughter, Betty Lee Coppinger; and by his brother, Richard Coppinger. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of William Merle "Bill" Coppinger with Hospice of Montezuma, PO Box 740, Cortez.