Mr. Walter C. “Tub” Hopper Jr., 87, of Barbourville, passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 22, 2009 in the Knox County Hospital. He was a son of the late Walter C. Hopper Sr. and Mariam Faulkner Hopper born on June 6, 1922 in Barbourville.

Mr. Hopper was a second generation funeral director, who served families for sixty years and was the founder and co-owner of the Knox Funeral Home and a former co-owner of the Hopper Funeral Home. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Barbourville. Mr. Hopper served his country in the Army Air Corps as a B-24 nose-gunner during World War II successfully completing 35 missions. He was Knox County Coroner for 16 years, past president of the Kentucky Funeral Directors Association and the Kentucky Coroners Association. At the time of his death, he was a member of the Kentucky Funeral Directors Burial Association Board. He was a past Barbourville City Councilman and had formerly served on the Knox County Hospital Board. For over 60 years, he was a member of the American Legion, Masonic Lodge 187 F & AM and the Oleika Shrine Temple. He was an avid UK basketball and football fan. But more than this list of accomplishments, he has been described as a gentleman and a funeral director’s funeral director. To his family, he was a husband, father, Big Daddy, brother, uncle and friend.

On July 26, 1949, he united in marriage with Josephine Faulkner in Barbourville and to this union three sons were born.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers, Harry G. Hopper Sr., Lewis A. Hopper and his twin brother, Joe Winston Hopper; a sister, Jean Keeton; and a grandson, Walter C. Hopper IV.

Survivors include wife, Jody Hopper of Barbourville; three sons, Walter C. Hopper III and wife, Mary, of Burlington, Robert David Hopper and Joseph W. Hopper and wife, Beth, all of Barbourville; three granddaughters, Jobeth, Haleigh and Makenzi Hopper all of Barbourville; a sister-in-law, Bitty Hopper of Barbourville; several nieces and nephews; among other loved ones and dear friends.

His funeral service will be conducted in the chapel of the Knox Funeral Home Sunday, September 27 at 2 P.M. with Rev. Ernie Carmicle and Rev. Shane Nickell officiating. A Masonic service will follow. He will be laid to rest in the Barbourville Cemetery with military funeral honors.

Casket bearers will be Bill Ed Hampton, George Hammons, Lewis B. Hopper, Bert Scent, Tommy Hall, Byron Schiesz, Bill Satterly and Jim Rich. Honorary bearers will be Jim Trosper, Roxie Buchanan, Buck Treadway, Wilbert Evans, Oscar Parsons, W. J. Patterson, Harold Jones, Phillip Smith, Winston Hopper, members of the FDAK and the Kentucky Coroners Association, the staff of W. R. Milward Funeral Directors, the staff of the Knox Funeral Home and his morning coffee club friends.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to Drs. Andrew McGregor, Paul Pedersen, James West, Larry Warren, the staff of Knox Family Medicine, Knox County Home Health and the Knox County Hospital for the excellent care given during his illness.

Expressions of sympathy may go to the First United Methodist Church of Barbourville, 312 North Main Street, Barbourville, Kentucky 40906 in loving memory of Mr. Hopper.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Knox Funeral Home.