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William "Jody" Joseph Roper III To die in the prime of your life seems unfair. To die with no regrets and loved by so many is to be blessed. Beloved husband, father, and friend, William Joseph Roper III, known to all by Jody, passed away March 24, 2018 at his home. His two-year battle with esophageal cancer ended with his wife, Belinda Wyatt Roper, by his side. He considered his boys, Wyatt and Seth, his greatest accomplishments in his life. Jody was born in March 1971 to Joe Roper and Drea Ziencik. Raised in Charlotte, he moved his family to Mooresville in 2004 to be closer to his first business, Carolina Trailer Hitch. He sold the store to pursue other ventures but returned to what he loved in January 2016 when he opened, Performance Hitch and Truck Accessory. Larger than life, everyone loved Jody. Known to never meet a stranger, his friends came from all walks of life. He was loyal, standing up for his friends and his beliefs. If you were stopped on the side of the road, he would never pass by without asking if you needed help. If something was broken, he probably had the tool needed and would come and fix whatever it was. Known to be a jokester, you never knew what would come out of his mouth. Jody could tell the most believable lies that always ended in a laugh. Many people have been touched by his existence and the stories of him will keep his memory alive in the years to come. He was truly one of a kind. His absence creates a void to all whose path he crossed. Jody was preceded in death by his paternal grandfather, Bill Roper; maternal grandfather, Gene Noles; step brother, Cecil "Trey" L. McCants, III and step brother, Brian Ziencik. He is survived by his paternal grandmother, Nancy Roper; grandmother, Margaret "Kitty" Crane; step mother, Deborah Roper; step father, James Ziencik; brother, Michael Roper; brother (cousin) Noah Roper; step sister, Mandy Mitchell; and step brother, Morgan McCants. A gathering to celebrate Jody’s life will be held at 1:00pm on Wednesday, March 28 at Rocky Mount United Methodist Church where he was a member. Reverend and friend, Jamie Hamrick, will officiate the ceremony. Burial will follow at the church cemetery in the spot Jody chose to rest. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening, March 27 from 6:00pm to 8:30pm at Rocky Mount as well. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Jingle for Jody, a charity created prior to his death to fulfill Jody’s desire and personal tradition to help families during the holiday season. Included as part of these gifts is assistance to cover required fees in schools to promote an educational environment of equality. Jingle for Jody, 112-A Argus Lane #121, Mooresville, NC 28117 Cavin Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Roper Family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.

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William 'Jody' Joseph Roper

March 16, 1971 - March 24, 2018