William J. Kopchick

William J. Kopchick, 91, of Economy, passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025. 

He was born on May 1, 1933, in Punxsutawney, PA to the late Michael and Anna Kopchick.  He graduated from Ambridge High School in 1951, proudly served his country as a Corporal in the U.S. Army, and achieved a bachelor's degree in industrial arts from California State College in 1960.  At California State, Bill was member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity and held lead roles in several college theatrical productions.  Ultimately, he attained a master's degree in education from West Virginia University. 

            Bill was a career Educator in Beaver County as a long time Industrial Arts Teacher in both the Ambridge and Blackhawk School Districts.  During the summers he was a Guidance Counselor at Penn State Beaver Campus for matriculating students.  He was a Guidance Counselor in the Blackhawk School District during the 1980’s and 1990’s, retiring in 1995. 

Bill was a member of St. John’s Orthodox Church in Ambridge having served as Church President in the mid 1970’s and greatly enjoyed singing liturgical responses during services.  Bill immensely enjoyed gardening and was a prolific giver of his excess produce.  He was an avid golfer where he lettered during college and won a Beaver County Senior Open Title.  He also enjoyed hunting with his sons and friends, neighborhood gatherings ranging from bible study to happy hour, and workout times with his buddies at the Cranberry YMCA.

            Bill met Sonia (Popovich), his wife of sixty-five years, while attending California State and they very proudly enjoyed raising their two sons in Economy.

            Preceding him in death (in addition to his parents) were four brothers – Michael, Peter, Nick, and Steve – and 4 sisters – Mary Kovalyak, Anne Chemsak, Helen Kosinski, and Margaret Konarski. 

Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory and who will miss him dearly are his wife Sonia (Popovich) Kopchick, son William and his wife Deborah and their two daughters Emily and Mary, son Michael D. Kopchick, Bill’s brother John Kopchick, and many nieces and nephews.

            Visitation will take place on Thursday from 4-6 P.M. in John Syka Funeral home, 833 Kennedy Drive, Ambridge, PA 15003, from where a funeral service will be held Friday at 1 P.M.  Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies at 2:30 P.M. with full military honors.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to St. John’s Orthodox Church, 450 Glenwood Drive Ambridge, PA 15003.

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