1948 - William Charles Hopson-

Mr. Hopson, one of the oldest members of the club,

died Tuesday, March 9, at Blodgett hospital. He was active until a week before his death

and until a month preceding his death had continued as active head of the W.C. Hopson

Company, sheet metal building products manufacturers, which he founded 66 years ago.

He was president and chairman of the board of the firm.

In addition to his long time membership in the Peninsular Club he was active in YMCA

affairs, a thirty second degree Mason, and for many years chairman in charge of property

of Fountain Street Baptist church. He was one-time Republican chairman of the old Fifth

Ward.

A naïve of Ypsilanti, he came to Grand Rapids at the age of 13 with his

widowed mother. Young Hopson decided to enter business for himself and his venture

was operating a candy booth on the present site of the Morton House.

Leaving school at 17 he became an apprentice metal worker. With $600 capital and

two employees he formed the W.C. Hopson Co., in 1882, which soon outgrew its

first home and twice moved to larger quarters during the next 15 years. The firm

erected its present building at 216 Grandville Ave. S.W., in 1911, after its former

four story building at 25 Campau Ave., N.W., erected in 1998, had burned four

years later.

Besides the widow, he is survived by a son, Earl W., a daughter, Mrs. Francis

T. Russell, and two grandchildren, all of Grand Rapids. Interment was in Woodlawn

Cemetery. Following services in Fountain Street Baptist Church.