William R. Coplen, age 58, of Tewksbury, MA, formerly of Princeton, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, Mar. 15, 2006 at his home in Tewksbury, MA. He was the husband of Cheryl J. (Tsotsi) Coplen, with whom he had celebrated an eighth wedding anniversary this past February 14th. 

He was born in Renton, WA, on December 2, 1947, a son of Earl Vetra and Mildred Gudgel-Coplen. He was raised in Princeton, IN. He worked as a D.J. for W.R.A.Y Radio in Princeton, and also for the City of Princeton and Vincennes wastewater treatment plants. He later moved to Burlington, MA, where he had lived until moving to Tewksbury, MA in 2005. 

Bill was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he served in the U.S. Marine Corp, and operated a Marine Radio Station there. 

He was a former member of Prince Lodge 321 F.&A.M. of Princeton, also formerly a member of Scottish Rite, and the Hadi Shrine in Evansville. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge in Mt. Carmel, IL. 

Besides his wife, he is survived by a son, Scott A. Hartley of Princeton; a sister-in-law, Vernita Coplen of Gibson Co., IN; a brother-in-law, Gregory Tsotsi of Tewksbury, MA; several nieces and nephews, and several great-nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother James Coplen and a sister Betty Jane Coplen. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, March 24, 2006 at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton, with Pastor Dave Marion officiating. Burial will follow in the Clark Cemetery near Owensville.

Friends may call at the Colvin Funeral Home in Princeton from 4 to 8 PM on Thursday March 23rd. Military graveside services will be provided by V.F.W. Post 1147.