WILLIAM DEWAR HOPKINS

HOPKINS WILLIAM DEWAR HOPKINS "Will" (Age 54) Of Washington, D.C. and Nashville, died unexpectedly in his sleep on December 6, 2015, at his home in Flint Hill, Virginia. He was born and raised in Rocky Mount, Virginia, the son of John Lee Hopkins and Lillian Dewar Hopkins, and attended Franklin County public schools. He received undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Virginia, in 1983 and 1986, respectively, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. After law school, Hopkins began a successful legal career in Washington, D.C., with the firm of Ross, Dixon & Masback (now merged with Troutman Sanders), where he became a partner. In 2001, he ceased practicing law to pursue songwriting, dividing his time between Washington and Nashville. He soon began winning songwriting awards and was invited to perform at Nashville''s renowned Bluebird Cafe on numerous occasions. More recently, a song he co-wrote will Ellen Britton, "That''s What Makes the Bluegrass Blue", reached the top of Bluegrass charts during 2015. "Different", also co-written with Britton, was recently recorded by country artist Ty Herndon. Hopkins learned shortly before his death that another song he wrote with Britton, "My Last Sunset", had been selected for recording by a legendary artist whose identity cannot be disclosed at this time. Hopkins was also an accomplished chef and gardener. The gardens he designed at his Flint Hill residence were featured on the 2013 Garden Club of Virginia Historic Garden Week Tour. He was also devoted to animals. Hopkins'' parents predeceased him. He is survived by his life partner of 28 years, Joseph H. Gale, whom he married in 2013; brother John Lee Hopkins, Jr. and his wife Teri; nephew John Lee Hopkins, III and his wife Aga; niece Anna Catherine Hopkins; uncle Henry Lee Hopkins and his wife Carolyn; as well as numerous Hopkins and Lee cousins. A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday, December 12, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Rocky Mount. A celebration of his life will also be held in May 2016 in the gardens at his residence in Flint Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Rappahannock Animal Welfare League, Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community [raac.org], Headwaters [headwatersfdn.org], The Child Care and Learning Center [rappcclc.com] or SMYAL [smyal.org].A memorial service will be held at Noon on Saturday, December 12, at Trinity Episcopal Church in Rocky Mount. A celebration of his life will also be held in May 2016 in the gardens at his residence in Flint Hill. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to Rappahannock Animal Welfare League, Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community [raac.org], Headwaters [headwatersfdn.org], The Child Care and Learning Center [rappcclc.com] or SMYAL [smyal.org].