April 3, 1946-November 25, 2023
Bill Copping was born on April 3, 1946, in New Westminster, BC and passed away surrounded by his loving family on November 25, 2023, in Kelowna, BC.
He is survived by his loving wife of 18 years, Marnie Copping; his children, daughter Jennifer Copping (Jesse Miller), and their children, Cian and Keen; and son Brad (Ange) Copping, and their children Megan, Jaden, Brendan, and Olivia; his two stepsons, Ryan, grandson Isaac, and Andrew (Meaghan) Duff, grandchildren Thomas, Lilah and Holden; as well as his sister, Lois Copping and numerous nieces and nephews.
In 1963, along with his parents Bill and Mary, he moved from New Westminster and made a home on the Sunshine Coast. Bill and his father opened Copping Motors Volkswagen in Sechelt. In the late 60’s, Bill met and married his late wife Loretta Jean White.
Bill loved to tell jokes and share stories with friends and strangers alike. The first time he met his son-in-law Jesse, he talked about his life story for so long that he fell asleep, leaving Jesse sitting with him not knowing whether to wake him or walk away!
He loved to sing, his favorites being Elvis, George Jones, Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. He would often get up and grab the mic at Karaoke nights.
He was well liked by all who knew him especially in Sechelt, Chilliwack, Westbank and Arizona, where he spent many winters.
He was known as generous to a fault and as someone who loved to help and enjoyed the successes of his children, grandchildren and friends.
In 2001, Bill and his family tragically lost Loretta at the age of 54. He went on to find love again in meeting Marnie and they married in 2005.
He had been struggling with kidney failure and heart issues over the past several years but he tried not to let it slow him down. Bill was an adventurer, and took great pleasure in travelling in motorhomes, boating, riding his motorcycles, camping with his wife and friends, and loved to keep tabs on all the day to day news at his various businesses.
The family wishes to thank all the staff and medical professionals at Kelowna General Hospital for their care and compassion while he was there.
There will be a Celebration of Life held in the new year. Date, time, and place to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, www.heartandstroke.ca/donations or the Kidney Foundation, www.kidney.ca.
