Billy Eugene Koppa

Billy Eugene Koppa

Billy Eugene Koppa, age 78, of Topeka and formerly of Manhattan, passed away Nov. 5, 2024, at his home in Topeka.

Billy was born on June 8, 1946, in Fort Scott, Kan., the son of Murrel and Goldie (Page) Koppa. Billy grew up in Hiatville, Kan., and graduated from Uniontown High School with the class of 1964. After high school, Billy joined the U.S. Army. He served during the Vietnam Era. He served under the Big Red One at Fort Riley, Kan., and around the world. He had tours in Germany, Okinawa, Korea and stateside. He was proud of his military service and serving his country. He retired after 23 years of service in the Army. He then worked for Riley County for over 16 years as a custodian at the county fairgrounds.

Billy enjoyed many things in his life, especially going fishing, traveling as much as he could and playing bingo and going gambling. Billy was known as a hard worker, loving and proud father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, having a strong stubborn streak and a jokester. He enjoyed making people laugh.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Murrel Koppa and Goldie (Page) Koppa and siblings: Murrel “Bobby” Koppa, Thelma Koppa, and Mary Homan; and his great-grandson. Billy is survived by his children, Tony Koppa (Dawn) of Dwight, Kan., and Leatanya Koppa (Edwin) of Wichita, Kan. Also, he is survived by his brothers: Donnie Joe Koppa of Topeka, Jackie Lee Koppa of Emporia, Jimmy Dean Koppa of Fort Scott and Roger Dale Koppa of Sumter, S.C.; and his grandchildren: Tony, Adrianne, Jared, Anthony and Cheyenne; and his step-grandchildren, Tara and Josh; and his great-grandchildren: Vance, Lilian, Kyleigh, Isaiah, Mischa, Akira, Ivy, Weston, Krystal, Anjelah, Arya, and Axel.

The family will greet friends during a visitation on Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024, from 6 to 7 p.m. at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home in Manhattan. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Chapel in Manhattan. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley in Manhattan. Flower contributions in memory of Billy Koppa may be sent in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Av., Manhattan, KS 66502. Online condolences may be left for the family through the funeral home website at www.ymlfuneralhome.com.