William Earl Roper

Mr. William Earl Roper, 63, a resident of Lapine, Alabama, passed away suddenly while working on his farm, doing what he loved, on Saturday, March 18th, 2023. A graveside service for William Earl will be held at 2:30 PM in the Roper Family Cemetery on Tuesday, March 21st, with Rev. Kenny Horn officiating and Turners Funeral Home of Luverne directing. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 12:30 - 2 PM.

William Earl was a gifted athlete, whether it was football, baseball, softball, or golf, he enjoyed them all. One of his favorite activities was coaching young children in baseball because he got to mold them and make a difference in their lives both on and off the field. He'll never know the impact his kindness and love made in many a child's life. In fact, he was so dedicated to make life better for the children in his community that he served three terms on the county school board. He tied in the votes for a fourth term when he had the misfortune (or fortune given the rigors of the job!) to become the only elected official in Crenshaw County to lose an election by the cut of a card deck! Professionally, he served as the manager of Mayer Electric Supply Company in Montgomery for 25 years before retiring...and going immediately back to work raising cattle and poultry. Obviously, he was not a man for a leisurely lifestyle! However, that's not to say he never had any fun. He was an avid hunter and loved dropping a fishing line at a favorite spot. And on Saturdays in the Fall, you best believe he was cheering on the Crimson Tide to victory. Ultimately, his heart was at home with his family, but also on the river, as long as his family and friends were with him.

William Earl was larger than life in both personality and heart. He was the epitome of gregarious because there wasn't anyone he couldn't chat up no matter where he was. There were no short trips anywhere when it was guaranteed he was going to socialize wherever you went. He loved people, which made him easy to love in return, but he loved no one more than his family. He was their rock, always and forever. Whether it was his children or his grandchildren, there was never a doubt that "Papa" was going to be there cheering them on through every game, activity, and important moment in life. Those were the big public things, though. What no one else saw were all the times he delivered flowers, candy, or some special treat to a loved one just to show his love. Those are the irreplaceable things that William Earl did for his family, and why they so fiercely loved him. That's a legacy of love that too few people leave behind in this world, and the world definitely needs more William Earls.

Preceded in death by his son, Grant Roper, and parents, William Roper Jr & Blanche Ann Frost Roper. Survived by loving spouse of almost 43 years, Cindy Thomas Roper; children, Brittany (Alex) Tindal, Cole (Heather) Roper, and Blake Roper; grandchildren, John Austin Roper, Emily Kate Tindal, Caden Reed Tindal, Garrett Mason, Lindsey Mason, Haylee Senn, and Brynley Frazier; brother, Ricky (Rana) Roper; brother-in-law, Gary "Gooch" Thomas; sister-in-law, Brenda (Steve) Newton; nieces, Savana Roper, Ashley (Adam) Garrison, Maribeth (Ben) Boyd, Lori Ann Newton; and nephew, Josh Roper.

Active pallbearers will be Alex Tindal, Cole Roper, Blake Roper, John Austin Roper, Ricky Roper, Todd Moseley, John Hoffman, and Kevin Brown.