William R. Coplen
...former Radio D.J. at W.R.A.Y. in Indiana; 58
TEWKSBURY, MA - William R. Coplen, age 58, a USMC Veteran of the Vietnam War and
former D.J. for an Indiana radio station, died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning, Mar. 15, at
Saints Memorial Medical Center in Lowell, 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 Radio D.J. for W.R.A.Y. in Indiana,
and also for the City of Evensville’s and Vincens wastewater treatment plant. He later moved to
Burlington, MA, where he had lived until moving to Tewksbury, MA in 2005.
During the Vietnam War, he had served in the U.S.M.C., and operated a Marine Radio Station in
Vietnam.
He was active in AF&AM while residing in Indiana, as a member of the Princeton Lodge 321
Scottish Rite Temple, and the Hadi Shrine in Evansville. He was also a member of the Moose
Lodge in Mt. Caramel, 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, including Julie Tsotsi of Tewksbury; and several grand-nephews.
He was also brother of the late James Coplen and Betty Jane Coplen.
A prayer service was held Sunday evening, Mar. 19, in the funeral home. Following
transfer to Princeton, Indiana, additional funeral services will be provided by Colvin Funeral
Home. (phone 812 385 5026 or www.colvinfuneralhome.com) Interment in Clark Cemetery, Owensville, IN. Please omit flowers. Memorials to the
Shriner’s Hospital for Crippled Children, Hedi Temple A.A.O.M.S., 6 Walnut St. Evansville, IN,
47708, will be appreciated.