William John "Bill" Goepfert, 58, passed away Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, in Alamogordo. He was born April 21, 1953, in Albuquerque to G. Elmer and Lois Goepfert.
Bill was a proud graduate of Manzano High School (class of 1971) in Albuquerque and New Mexico Highlands University (Bachelor of Science 1976, Master of Science 1982). He taught fifth grade at Tohatchi Elementary School for 14 years and at North Elementary in Alamogordo for 17 years, retiring in May 2008.
Survivors include his wife, Gloria; daughter Stephanie (fiance Darby Hibner); daughter Lisa; son John; grandson Finnian Hibner and mother-in-law Alice Schweigert. He is also survived by his sister Lucinda (husband Mike) Thompson, of Hopkinsville, Ky.; niece Heather and nephew Heath.
A public viewing will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011, at Grace United Methodist Church, followed by a memorial service at 3 p.m. with the Rev. Harry Riser officiating. The family requests - since Bill was a laid-back, relaxed, light-hearted prankster and a lifelong fan of the Dallas Cowboys and New York Yankees - that attendees dress casually and wear a team/sports jersey/logo if one feels so inclined.
Cremation will take place at a later time, his ashes to be boxed in a hand-carved, family designed case.
Should friends desire, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church youth program, the Emmanuel Scholarship Foundation at Grace United Methodist Church, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital .
Pallbearers will be Gary Stevens, Jesus Castro, Mike Elliott, Marc Davis, Billy Hays and Mike Thompson.
Please remember Bill's humor and generosity.
The Goepfert family has entrusted their loved one to the care of Alamogordo Funeral Home to direct the funeral services.
To sign the online register book, please visit www.alamogordofuneralhome.com.