William “Bill” Kopka, 82, a lifelong Nashua resident, passed away Friday morning, October 31, 2025 after a brief period of declining health.
Born in Nashua on February 24, 1943, he was a son of the late Benjamin F. and Stella B. (Wisneski) Kopka. Bill was the husband of Despina “Tess” Kopka, with whom he shared 49 years of marriage until her passing on April 25, 2024.
A graduate of Nashua High School Class of 1961, Bill earned his undergraduate degree from Keene State College and his Master’s degree from New Hampshire College. A Navy veteran, Mr. Kopka served during the Vietnam War aboard the USS Hammerberg (DE-1015) from May 1963 to his honorable discharge in May 1967 and held the rank of Disbursing Clerk Petty Officer Third Class.
A longtime teacher, Bill taught Latin and Social Studies at the former Spring Street Junior High School in Nashua for 11 years. He was also a coach of football and wrestling at Nashua High School and for many years coached Little League Baseball, Biddy League Basketball, and Pop Warner League Football.
He later worked as an Auditor for the Department of Defense, retiring in 1998. Following his retirement, Mr. Kopka returned to the classroom, teaching Social Studies at Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua. After retiring from Bishop Guertin High School, Bill served as an Adjunct Professor of Accounting at Hesser College and Nashua Community College. From 1987 to the present, Bill and his wife Despina, owned and operated Kopka Tax Service that provided tax and electronic filing services.
Mr. Kopka was a communicant of the former St. Casimir Church and St. Christopher Church in Nashua and was a Past President of the St. Casimir Couples Club. He served as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of The Mary A. Sweeney Home in Nashua and was a member of the Supervisory Committee to the Board of Directors of Triangle Credit Union.
In addition to his wife and parents, Bill was predeceased by a brother, Thomas F. Kopka and his wife “Maddy”; a son, Robert J. Walker, Jr.; a grandson, Travis Levesque; four brothers-in-law, George “Barney” Rafeal, Nicholas Rapheal, Ronald Makarawicz and John Haug; and two sisters-in-law, Ethel Kirrane and Marjorie Kopka.
Members of his family include three sons and a daughter-in-law, Clinton J. Walker and his wife Sheryl of Amherst, Richard J. Walker and Joseph J. Walker both of Nashua; two daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Lesley Berry of Keene, NH, and Debra and Dean Parks of Nashua; nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, James Kopka of Daytona Beach, FL and Michael Kopka of Las Vegas, NV; three sisters and a brother-in-law, Beverly Haug of West Harwich, MA, Martha and James Juzeler of San Ramon, CA, and his twin, Elizabeth Makarawicz of Nashua. also many nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.
There are no calling hours. A private graveside service will be held for his family. To leave an online message of condolence, please visit www.farwellfuneralservice.com Arrangements are in the care of the Farwell Funeral Service, 18 Lock Street, Nashua.
