A career U.S. Navy veteran who went on to serve in many capacities in the western Kenosha
County community is the 2026 Kenosha County Veteran of the Year, County Executive
Samantha Kerkman announced today.
The award, which debuted in 2025, is presented annually to honor veterans for their
achievements and contributions after their time in service.
“For the second year in a row, we received an impressive list of nominations from members of
the community,” Kerkman said. “As we reviewed them, while there were many fine contenders
for the award, Bill’s many years of service to the community elevated his name to the top of the
list. It’s my honor to present this award to him.”
Kerkman will present the award to Hopkins at the annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic,
to be held at noon Friday, May 29, at the Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
Hopkins served 20 years in the Navy, retiring as an E9 Command Master Chief in 1993. During
his years in service, he was assigned to numerous posts around the world, including four tours of
duty at Naval Station Great Lakes, which is what initially brought him to Kenosha County.
Following his military career, he worked for 22 years before retiring as a Senior Compliance
Training Manager at Abbott Laboratories and Hospira.
After moving to Silver Lake in 1989, he became deeply involved in the community, serving as
President of the Riverview School Board, an elected trustee on the Silver Lake and Salem Lakes
Village Boards, a member of the Community Library Board, and numerous other boards and
commissions. He was also a 12-year volunteer member of the Silver Lake Fire Department.
During the 2017 severe floods along the Fox River, Hopkins and one of his sons drove around
the area for several days, helping residents by handing out bottled water, cleaning supplies and
decontaminating hundreds of wells.
“It’s just a matter of helping people,” Hopkins said, of his philosophy of community service. “I
1010 56th Street, 3rd Floor • Kenosha, WI 53140 • 262-653-2600
County.Executive@kenoshacountywi.gov • www.kenoshacountywi.govlike working with people. I like working with kids, in particular. I like helping out when I can
help. I look at it from that perspective.”
In addition to his work in government and the fire service, Hopkins has served on the Silver Lake
Dive and Recovery Team as a diver, coaches football at Wilmot Union High School, coached
baseball with Lakeland Little League, and coached youth in soccer, softball, and tee ball.
He is a current member of the Kenosha County Civil Service Commission and serves as
Chairman of the Salem Lakes Fire Commission.
“Mr. Hopkins’ life has wholeheartedly been dedicated to public service,” said Kenosha County
Veterans Services Director Jennifer Blasi. “It is a rare person who takes the time and effort to
make such an impact among so many people and organizations. He is an inspiration.”
Hopkins’ son, Brian, nominated him for the Veteran of the Year Award, writing that his father
“has a servant leader’s heart and is always putting his family and the community first.”
“My dad’s commitment to his fellow veterans and the community is evident in everything he
does,” Brian Hopkins wrote. “As a role model and mentor, he is a trusted friend to veterans and a
guiding influence for young adults considering military service, always offering support,
wisdom, and encouragement.”
Hopkins and his wife, Susie, have four adult children: Billy, Emily (Jon), Danny (Becca) and
Brian (Miriam). They have four grandchildren and two more on the way.
As for his motivation to lead and serve, Hopkins said: “I think for me, I learned a lot of the work
ethic from my dad, and my family. The military definitely brought the chain of command and
integrity to the table, and then, lastly, I think it’s just a matter of putting your best foot forward
and doing the best things you can to the best of your ability.”
Veterans Appreciation Picnic Information:
This event, now in its third year, will be held at noon Friday, May 29, at the Kenosha County
Veterans Memorial Park, located west of Highway KD and north of Highway F in Randall and
Wheatland. The picnic will be held in the Veterans Honor Plaza, which is accessible from the
Karow Court entrance off Highway F (Bassett Road), just west of Highway KD (352nd Avenue).
Free round-trip transportation to the park from Festival Foods, 3207 80th St., in Kenosha will be
offered courtesy of Dousman Transport Co., as space allows.
Registration for the picnic is not required, but those who would like transportation are asked to
contact the county Veterans Service Office at 262-605-6690 or email
Veterans.Services@kenoshacountywi.gov.
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