Kelley B.C. Hopkins' Obituary
Kelley Billie Clark Hopkins was born in Puyallup, WA, raised in Sumner and the surrounding areas, graduated from Orting High School. His parents are Gina Folk and Gary & Millie Hopkins, all of Sumner, WA.
After graduation, Kelley joined the Navy, where he completed two enlistments, including tours in the Gulf War. Upon being honorably discharged in 1999 as an E-4, he also served a year in the Naval Reserves. During Kelley's time of service, he earned the following military awards: Good Conduct Service Medal (x2,) National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, S/W Asia Service Medal (x2,) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (x2,) and Kuwait Liberation Ribbon.
He returned to WA State with two young daughters, Angel and Chloe, who were 4 and 2 years old. Kelley met Kimberly Church and they later married on May 15, 2004 and settled in Puyallup to raise their family. Three more children were added, Owen, Tanner and Gracelyn, to complete Team Hopkins, while Kelley established his career as a network technician with Lumen for 24 years.
He was well known for his excellent work ethic and his devotion to family, co-workers, and neighbors. Kelley was his wife’s loudest cheerleader at her softball games, where he also was in charge of keeping the kids corralled and accounted for, and together they were their children’s biggest supporters at the various choir concerts and sporting activities. Friends and neighbors could count on Kelley when BBQs, or lawnmowers, or power tools, or appliances, etc needed tinkered with or fixed. Kelley enjoyed time with extended family celebrating holidays, and doing annual things such as camping, river rafting, and spending time at his parents’ lake cabin. Other passions of his included coffee and watching football.
Unfortunately, just after Kelley’s 51st birthday in 2024, he contracted a devastating brain infection while we also received news of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. Before we had the opportunity to hear about treatment options, he was hospitalized with bacterial meningitis. All of the damage from that ultimately led to an 8 month long hospital course which resulted in his peaceful passing on December 18, 2024, due to the many complications from the infections.
Kelley was surrounded by his wife and four children, along with many other family members as we all spent final moments with him, praying and worshipping and being together while he transitioned to his eternal heavenly home.
Kelley was reunited with his daughter, Angel, who preceded him in death, in addition to his grandparents— Edward Hopkins, Billie Kelley, Sr., Alene Kelley, and Regina Miller. He is survived by his wife, Kimberly, and children Chloe, Owen, Tanner, and Gracelyn. Kelley is also survived by his grandchildren Aubree, Paislee, and Oliver. His mother, Gina Folk, and his father and stepmother, Gary and Millie Hopkins, as well as stepbrother Marc (Dawn) and grandmother, Kathy Hopkins, also survive him, in addition to a large extended family of in-laws, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.
To quote a favorite memory from each of the children-
Chloe: "After growing up and becoming a mom, my favorite thing was getting to watch him be a grandpa and play with his grandchildren."
Owen: “It meant a lot to me that my dad set aside a whole weekend to help me install new suspension for my car."
Tanner: “I liked his support at my baseball games."
Gracelyn: “I always had fun building with magna-tiles with Papa.”
In lieu of flowers, a donation in Kelley’s memory to our home church—Motion Church, of South Hill Puyallup, WA is appreciated.
Please join us on March 22, 2025 at 10:30am as we celebrate Kelley's life.
Motion Church
16120 Meridian East
South Hill, WA 98375
Kelley's final placement will be at Tahoma National Cemetery, at a later date to be announced. All are welcome at both services.
What’s your fondest memory of Kelley?
What’s a lesson you learned from Kelley?
Share a story where Kelley's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Kelley you’ll never forget.
How did Kelley make you smile?