Nathan "Buck" Willard Hoppes, age 85, formerly of Shelby, went home to be with his Lord on Thursday, November 2, 2017. He passed comfortably at home in Southport. Buck was a native of Cleveland County and was born on June 17, 1932 to the late Melvin Durham and Addie Odum Hoppes. Buck was a Korean War Veteran who was honored with the "Ambassador for Peace" Medal in 2016 by the Minister of Patriots and Veteran Affairs from the Republic of Korea; an honor that is rarely given. He was a policeman for six years with the Shelby Police Department in the early 1960's before joining Carolina Freight of Cherryville and retired from Carolina Freight with 25 years of service.

In addition to his parents; Buck is preceded in death by his two sisters, Mildred Hoppes Bridges and Gaynelle Hoppes Vandyke.

Buck is survived by his wife, Orphia "Sis" Steffens Hoppes; Mother of his daughters, Peggy Turner of New Bern; two daughters, Cathy Hoppes Bridges and her husband Mike of Shelby and Sonja Hoppes Leonhardt and her husband David of New Bern; two stepsons, Jason Steffens and Sam Steffens and his wife Sandy and their children, Austin and Cypress of Floyd, VA; a sister, Margaret Ledford and her husband Ray of Grover; four grandchildren Brandy Lovelace Collins of Shelby, Lee Lovelace and his wife Christy of Kings Mountain, Steve Leonhardt and his wife Cyrstal of Alexandria, VA and Kelly Leonhardt of Midlothian, VA; five great grandchildren Chase, Logan and Tessa Collins; Burton and Vera Leonahardt, and Kaydence Lovelace; three nieces Rachel Vandyke Hendrick of Shelby, Lynn Vandyke Gillespie and husband Dwight of Shelby and Shelia Bridges Lane and husband Keith of Grover. It is a great blessing to come from a loving extended family.

Buck and Sis moved to Oak Island in 1994 after visiting for so many years previously. This is where he wanted to retire and enjoy fishing, gardening, and watching his hero John Wayne in old cowboy movies and looking forward to all that the future had in store for him.

Buck and Sis were members of Ocean View Methodist Church on Oak Island. He was proud to be asked to usher; which he enjoyed for many years. He greeted all the ladies with a smile and a hug of welcome. He loved people and helped, when he was able, with the churches famous BBQ dinner every year.

He was also known and loved at all the local restaurants and especially at Southport Hardee's where it was said "this is where his harem awaited". At least three times a week Buck and Sis would go to Hardee's to catch up on the news, and would chat with the local men from Southport who sat on the other side of the restaurant.

Buck will surely be missed by all who ever met him for he only had smiles and love in his heart; all while being "naturally gifted" with humor not only during the good but the worst of times.

Funeral services will be at 2:00pm Sunday, November 5, 2017 in the chapel of Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and crematory with Minister Daniel Woodard officiating. Burial, with Military Honors, will follow at Sunset Cemetery. The family will receive friends an hour before the service from 1:00-2:00pm.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Ocean View United Methodist Church Chapel at a later date.

Cecil M. Burton Funeral Home and Crematory is serving the family of Mr. Hoppes.