John Willard Toppins (Bill) 83, of Slocum, died peacefully in his sleep, Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at the SOMC Hospice Center in Portsmouth. He was born April 8, 1931, a son of the late Oakley and Lettie Allen Toppins. He was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed the country way of life. He enjoyed hunting and fishing and was a diehard Cincinnati Reds fan. John, who was known as "Bill" by his friends, retired from Empire Detroit Steel in 1976. He also served two tours of duty with the United States Air Force. He spent his early retirement years raising cattle and working timber on his parents' farm in South Webster. He was preceded in death by his wife of 57 years, Evelyn Toppins and a daughter, Lori Toppins. He was also preceded in death by his brother, Tom and three sisters, Opal, Pat, and Ruth.

He is survived by four children, John (Anita) Toppins of Portsmouth, Tom (Kristi) Toppins of Portsmouth, Samuel Toppins of Chillicothe, and Amy Toppins of Slocum; seven grandchildren, Jonathon, Nick (Casey), Jarrod, Megan, Nathan (Mary), Austin, and Riley; and two great-grandchildren, Abigail and Rosie. He is also survived by his sisters, Marge (Bill) Oty of Columbus, Peggy (Harold) Williams of Minford, Carole Toppins of Columbus, Myrtle Evans of Columbus, and Eleanor Tackett of Leechburg, PA; several nieces and nephews including Pamela (Carl) Hutchinson of Oak Hill and Herschel (Glayda) Maloney of Jackson.

The family will receive friends on Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Swick-Bussa-Chamberlin Funeral Home in Wheelersburg. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014 at the Swick-Bussa-Chamberlin Funeral Home and interment in Memorial Burial Park.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to SOMC Hospice at 2201 25 ^th Street, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.swickbussachamberlin.com .