Copeland, Sr., James Leon

James Leon Copeland Sr., born April 28, 1946, in Ballard, West Virginia, passed away peacefully on October 2, surrounded by his loving family. James was the son of the late Mary Margaret and Calvin Coolidge Copeland.

Proud of his West Virginia roots, he served in the Army National Guard before beginning a long career in construction, eventually retiring as a construction job superintendent. James shared 60 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Ruby Ann.

He is survived by Ruby; his daughter, Michelle Denese Green (Robert); grandchildren Kaitlyn Bowen (Alex Loepke) and Hunter Green; and siblings Ronnie (Karen), Calvin (Mary Anne), David (Sherry), Naomi Pilkington, Clarice Webb, and Mary Alice Wiley (Glenn).

He was preceded in death by his son, James “Jamie” Leon Copeland Jr.; his parents; and siblings Letha Fritz and William Isaac Copeland.

James will be remembered as a devoted husband, father and grandfather; a hardworking provider; a proud son of West Virginia; and forever, our West Virginia Spitfire.

A visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at Dunlap Memorial Home in Fort Atkinson.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home in Peterstown, WV. Burial will follow at the Orchard Cemetery in Ballard, WV. Visitation will be held from 12:30PM until time of services on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Funeral arrangements are being made through Dunlap Funeral Home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, and Broyles-Shrewsbury Funeral Home in Peterstown, West Virginia.