by Roy J. Ward
In 1959, I came to Virginia from New York to join the staff of the Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped. One of the first people I met was Bill Coppage. For the next 45 years our lives were closely entwined as co-workers, associates in many organizational activities, volunteer services, and friends. Our families were also closely related. It was an extremely sad day for me, as well as for all who knew him, when Bill went to his eternal reward on January 29, 2004. Accompanying my comments is a well- written feature article printed in “The Richmond Times-Dispatch” on January 31. However, no article can do justice to the total person who touched the lives of countless people in Virginia, throughout the United States, and in other countries, as the newspaper article mentions. I can’t, either, but hopefully I can add some more information about one of the finest people with whom I have ever been associated.
Bill lived life to the fullest, and gave 100 percent of his energy, skills and knowledge, drive and ambition to make life better for blind and visually impaired people everywhere, as well as his family and friends. He worked hard while carrying out his job and volunteer responsibilities; he devoted himself to his family; and when he had time for relaxation, he played hard.
During his 22 years as commissioner of VDVH, he carried on the growth and expansion of services to the state’s blind and visually impaired people —people of all ages — begun by his predecessor, Dr. Douglas C. MacFarland, and led the agency to even greater levels of quality and quantity of services. He established the Rehabilitation Center for the Blind, the Library and Resource Center, a new workshop for the blind in Richmond, and a new department headquarters building. Coppage greatly expanded vocational rehabilitation and rehabilitation teaching services, education services, introduced services to the older blind, and initiated volunteer services to supplement services provided by paid staff.
Bill would be the first to tell people that he did not bring about all of the above, and other improvements, alone. He had an unusual ability to select capable staff, and was not afraid to assign and delegate authority to them. During his years as commissioner, Virginia was recognized nationally as having one of the most qualitative and diverse programs in the nation. It was a most unfortunate day when political priorities caused his removal from office by the governor.
Since retiring in 1986, Bill involved himself in volunteer and community service activities. He was an active member of the Charlottesville Lions Club, and headed a foundation which helped blind people in situations where VDVH could not meet the need. For several years, he was a member of the American Council of the Blind, and helped at times to advocate for programs beneficial to blind people. During his retirement, until his former wife died, he cared for her, taking her to conventions and business meetings with him.
Services to blind and visually impaired Virginians and Americans are better because of Bill Coppage, and untold numbers of people have had their lives enriched by knowing and associating with him. He has earned his eternal rest.
William Coppage, Advocate, Dies At 75
by Jenifer V. Buckman
(Copyright 2004, “The Richmond Times-Dispatch,” reprinted with permission.)
At the age of 7, William Thomas Coppage Sr. left his parents’ home to attend the Virginia School for the Deaf and Blind in Staunton, seeking an education and resources that didn’t exist in his hometown of Flint Hill.
After graduation, he spent the rest of his life working to make opportunities available to people with visual impairments in Virginia and around the world. He served under four governors as commissioner of the Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped.
The Charlottesville resident died Wednesday after suffering a heart attack. He was 75.
“Because he had overcome so many obstacles, he held a definite belief that you could do whatever you set your mind to,” said his daughter, Linda Masters of Lancaster, Pa. “He believed that people could and should do for themselves, and the important thing was to provide the tools that lead to independence.”
As commissioner from 1964 to 1986, Mr. Coppage helped expand the state’s services to a greater number of Virginians and was involved in the creation of Virginia Voice.
He was most proud of his efforts to establish the Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind in Richmond, said his wife, Marjorie I. Coppage.
“You have to have a lot of courage to make it in a sighted world,” she said. “You have to be somewhat gregarious. I always tell everyone he’s a helper.”
Mr. Coppage was well-known for his work and advocacy and served as a president of the National Council of State Agencies for the Blind and the American Association of Workers for the Blind. He was a board member with the National Accreditation Council for Agencies Serving the Blind and Handicapped, and he led accreditation review teams at various sites around the county and was often called on as a consultant to those creating programs as far away as North Africa and India.
Before being named commissioner, Mr. Coppage worked as an assistant superintendent of the Virginia Workshop for the Blind in Charlottesville, and then as assistant to the former state commissioner, the late D.C. MacFarland.
In his retirement, Mr. Coppage was the executive director of the Virginia Foundation for the Blind.
He held a bachelor’s degree from the University of Richmond and master’s degrees from the University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University. At VCU, he taught courses in rehabilitation for several years.
Legally blind since birth, Mr. Coppage had an unsuccessful corneal transplant as a teenager, but a little over a decade ago, he underwent a second transplant that restored some of his sight, allowing him to see the night stars for the first time.
“It was like being with a child, he was so in awe of everything around him,” said his daughter. “It was a blessing.”
Mr. Coppage was the widower of Beverly M. Coppage.
In addition to his wife and daughter, survivors include a son, W. Thomas Coppage Jr. of New Orleans; a brother, Allen E. Coppage of Sea Bright, N.J.; and three grandchildren.