Bill Hopkins’ face is often the first and last one you encounter on your weekday trip to Brown’s. His warm smile greets you in our cart room, and his helpful hands are ready to load your car if needed. He even has a piece of chocolate ready to cheer anyone who is feeling down.
But did you realize that Bill’s smile is one of genuine thankfulness? Bill underwent a heart transplant in 2003 after four open heart surgeries and months on a waiting list. He feels blessed to be alive to enjoy his family and friends.
Bill grew up in Baltimore County on a small produce farm, the 5th of 10 children. He met his wife, Dianne, on a blind date while on a weekend pass from active duty in the Navy. Within three months, Bill and Dianne were married! 44 years, three children and three grandchildren later, he still talks about Dianne with a sparkle in his eye.
Bill’s career as a Damage Control Firefighter in the Navy spanned from 1959 to 1975, and included a tour in Vietnam. Some of the memories are difficult for him to talk about, such as a ship explosion that took the lives of 126 men. After retiring from the Navy, Bill worked at Fairbanks Scales and was an EMT in Red Lion until 1981 when he experienced his first heart attack. He can still recall the date and time that he smoked his very last cigarette.
Since his heart transplant, Bill worked for a few years at the American Red Cross. After staying up for three days straight in response to the Adhesives Research fire, he decided he needed to change paths yet again. At Brown’s, Bill can relax. He loves his customers and feels like he is home…right back home on his parents’ produce farm.

See Prior Employee Spotlights:
Mandi Scott | Missi Sweitzer | Matt Etter | Connie Lutz | Lori Miller