KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. — Retired U.S. Navy Command Master Chief Bill Hopkins, a longtime western Kenosha County public servant whose post-military life has included local government, fire service, youth sports and volunteer work, has been named the 2026 Kenosha County Veteran of the Year.
According to Kenosha County officials, Hopkins was selected by a county panel from a group of nominees submitted by members of the community. The award, which debuted in 2025, is presented annually to recognize veterans for their achievements and contributions after their military service.
Hopkins served 20 years in the Navy before retiring in 1993 as an E9 Command Master Chief. His assignments took him around the world, including four tours at Naval Station Great Lakes, which first brought him to Kenosha County.
After his military career, Hopkins worked 22 years before retiring as a senior compliance training manager at Abbott Laboratories and Hospira. He moved to Silver Lake in 1989 and became deeply involved in western Kenosha County, 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 several other boards and commissions.
Hopkins also spent 12 years as a volunteer member of the Silver Lake Fire Department and served with the Silver Lake Dive and Recovery Team as a diver. His community work has also extended to youth athletics, including coaching football at Wilmot Union High School, baseball with Lakeland Little League and youth soccer, softball and tee ball.
During the severe 2017 flooding along the Fox River, Hopkins and one of his sons spent several days helping area residents by handing out bottled water, cleaning supplies and decontaminating hundreds of wells.
“It’s just a matter of helping people,” Hopkins said in the county’s announcement. “I like 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.”
A county spokesperson said Hopkins stood out among a strong group of nominees because of his decades of public service and community involvement throughout western Kenosha County.
Kenosha County Veterans Services Director Jennifer Blasi also praised Hopkins’ long record of service.
“Mr. Hopkins’ life has wholeheartedly been dedicated to public service,” Blasi said. “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 was nominated by his son, Brian Hopkins, who wrote 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, Danny and Brian. They also have four grandchildren and two more on the way.
Hopkins, who has longstanding relationships with several prominent Kenosha County officials, including County Executive Samantha Kerkman and Sheriff David Zoerner, said his motivation to serve comes from lessons learned from his family and the military.
“I think for me, I learned a lot of the work ethic from my dad, and my family,” Hopkins said. “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.”
The award is scheduled to be presented at the annual Veterans Appreciation Summer Picnic on May 29 at Kenosha County Veterans Memorial Park.
Hopkins is also a current member of the Kenosha County Civil Service Commission and now serves as chairman of the Salem Lakes Fire Commission after Salem Lakes Village President Rita Bucur removed Ed Herreid as chairman and appointed Hopkins to the leadership post.
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10 Responses
Congratulations, Sir! And thank you for your service. It’s refreshing to read positive articles like this one
So not a combat vet huh
4 tours at Great Mistakes — how courageous
Spoken from the heart of a person that spends time speaking negatively of people that they most likely don’t know on the internet. -lover of anonymous posters (you are brave)
You mentioned No Combat.
How do you know ?
You said “Stolen Valor “
“Stolen valor” is the act of falsely claiming military service, rank, or unearned medals ….”
I don’t think either of these comments are fair if you don’t truly know. Do you ?
Below is a list of conflicts the US was involved in between 1973 and 1993 during the time Bill served.
How can you say stolen valor for a guy who was enlisted for 20 years. No where in this story is there any claim of exceptionalism. Just 20 years of service. He went where he was told.
Great Lakes is a training facility. How many boys did Bill help turn into men ?
How many graduates took that training and served in combat ?
Both of your comments are cheap shots with no Foundation.
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(from AI)
Between 1973 and 1993, the United States transitioned from the end of the Vietnam War to post-Cold War interventions, featuring major actions like the Gulf War (1990-1991) and invasions of Grenada (1983) and Panama (1989).
This era was marked by efforts to avoid “Vietnam-style” quagmires, relying on swift, decisive force or specialized operations, including peacekeeping in Lebanon and Somalia.Key Military Conflicts (1973–1993)
End of Vietnam War (1973-1975): While U.S. combat troops withdrew in March 1973 following the Paris Peace Accords, the U.S. continued support until the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Mayaguez Incident (1975): President Ford authorized military action to rescue the SS Mayaguez cargo ship seized by Cambodia.
Lebanon (1982-1984): U.S. Marines deployed as part of a multinational peacekeeping force, ending after the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut.
Invasion of Grenada (1983): Operation Urgent Fury aimed to restore order and protect U.S. citizens after a communist coup.
Invasion of Panama (1989-1990): Operation Just Cause aimed to depose dictator Manuel Noriega.
Persian Gulf War (1990-1991): Led by Gen. Norman Schwarzkopf, a U.S.-led coalition forced Iraqi troops out of Kuwait.
Somalia (1992-1993): Operation Restore Hope, a humanitarian relief mission that transitioned into combat operations.
Key Cold War InterventionsEl Salvador/Nicaragua (1980s): The U.S. provided advisers, training, and equipment to combat communist movements in Central America.Libya (1986): Air strikes launched in retaliation for terrorist activity
Bill could have been in the first couple.
You don’t know.
The idiotic remarks about Bill’s service are obviously coming from an idiot that never had the courage to serve. Military training and service, particularly for that many years, is dangerous, regardless of whether combat is involved. People get burned, inhale toxic smoke, aircraft crash, people are routinely exposed to dangerous chemicals, explosions happen, vehicles crash, drownings happen, you name it. All part of Navy life.
I worked with Bill in the corporate environment. Have known him for years. Always found him to be honest, hardworking and a good friend. Congratulations, Bill. Well deserved.
The trolls that like to bring down anyone that is recognized for good conduct and good deeds and downright a Good life are everywhere.
Bill is more than worthy and deserves to have this award hang on his wall for many years to come !
Hear, Hear !!
Hmm….anybody remember Mr. Hopkins working a land swap last year for a friend and coworker? Gave precious
wetlands to a non lake front owner? Public land to a friend??? Even though public citizens rejected the swap Mr. Trustee
pushed his weight. Good character should be more than a twenty year stint. Shame on Trustee, Veteran, Coach Hopkins!
That was a bad deal all around.
Should have recused himself from the vote.
A lot of “Staff” behind the scenes work there.
But it would be interesting to see his new tax bill.
It was said and predicted that his new “water front” designation would yield a higher tax bill.
Did it ??
Congrats Bill!