William A Poplin

ROCKY MOUNT – William “Bill” Alexander Poplin, III, age 75, passed away on Friday, December 1, 2017.  Born in Richmond County, NC on September 26, 1942, he was the son of the late William Alexander Poplin, Jr. and Annie Laurie Jenkins Poplin.  He was also preceded in death by his brother-in-law, William Glenn Gainey.
Bill grew up in Rockingham, NC.  He graduated from Rockingham High School in 1960, Wingate Junior College in 1962, and NC State University in 1966.  Bill was an engineer and worked with DuPont in Kinston, NC; Corning Glass Works in Virginia and New York.  Bill and his family moved to Rocky Mount in 1973 where he worked at Abbott Laboratories in manufacturing and engineering management until his retirement.  He was a loving husband, father, brother, and grandfather and he will be dearly missed by all those who knew and loved him. 
Bill leaves behind to cherish his memory, wife of 54 years, Betty Brown Poplin; daughter, Christine Poplin Howell and husband, Christopher, of Rocky Mount; and sons, William “Billy” Alexander Poplin, IV and wife, Jennifer, of Greenville, Edward “Ashley” Poplin and wife, Leah, of Fuquay Varina.  He is also survived by grandchildren, Caroline Elizabeth Howell-Methvin and husband, Stephen, Meredith Ashley Howell, Anna Howell Johnson and husband, John, Hampton Alexander Poplin, Hannah Beth Poplin, and William James Poplin; sister, Bonnie Poplin Gainey of Tarboro; and a niece and nephew.
A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, December 3, 2017 at 2:30 PM at Englewood United Methodist Church, 300 S. Circle Drive, Rocky Mount with the Rev. Terry Williams officiating.
Visitation with the family will be from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM in the Sanctuary of Englewood United Methodist Church and also following the service in the Sanctuary.  A private burial will take place at a later time.
The family would like to say a special thank you to the staff at Nash Health Care System Hospice & Palliative Care for their care and dedication to Bill and our family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Englewood United Methodist Church, Prayer Shawl Ministry, 300 S. Circle Drive, Rocky Mount, NC  27804.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804.  You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.