Myron Loyal Palmer

Myron L. “Hoppy” Palmer, age 82 of Boaz, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on June 6, 2024. Hoppy was born August 16, 1941 in Aurora, Alabama (which he pronounced as “Ar-roar”) to Mary Helen Hill, née Walker, and Leonard Hill. He grew up in East Gadsden and was a graduate of Gadsden High School. When he was young, he didn’t like his given name, so he told everyone to call him “Hoppy” because he was a fan of Hopalong Cassidy. And so, he was “Hoppy” for the rest of his life. When his mother remarried to Thomas Charles Palmer, Hoppy was adopted by his stepfather and took his last name of Palmer. While his family was living briefly in Beaumont, Texas, Hoppy joined the U.S. Marine Corps. After his basic training at Camp Pendleton in California, his tour of duty took him to Southeast Asia, where he served in Japan, Singapore, Philippines, and Vietnam. He left military service as a Sergeant E5. Once a Marine, always a Marine and Hoppy was proud to be one of the Few and the Proud. While working at the Birmingham jail, he married Terry Loretta Helms. They had one son, Chris Palmer. After moving to Sand Mountain to work at Goodyear, Hoppy received a call to preach. He was the pastor of Lakeside Baptist Church in Guntersville and continued to do weddings, guest preaching and revivals, and preaching and teaching Sunday School at Second Baptist in Boaz and at nursing and retirement homes as long as his health allowed. He married Betty Wilson in 1981, gaining two stepsons, Charles and Robert Wilson, and a close-knit extended family. Hoppy was known for his sense of humor and his corny jokes. What are now known as “dad jokes,” his family and friends have always called “Hoppy jokes.” He was an enthusiastic supporter of his grandchildren, rarely missing T-ball games, soccer games, band concerts, birthday parties, or choral recitals. He was also known for handing out money to all the kids at family gatherings, but he always did it in secret, so that every kid thought they were being singled out as being special. He was a lifelong Alabama football fan and enjoyed studying the Bible, playing cards and dominos, reading Mad Magazine, and watching old movies. He is survived by his son Christopher Palmer (Renée) and stepson Charles Wilson (Charisse); grandchildren Morgan Jones (Todd), Cameron Palmer (Helen), Adam Wilson (Myrna), John Wilson, Heath Wilson (Laura), Derek Wilson (Skylar); great grandchildren Violet Rebecca Jones, Beth Wilson, Matthew Wilson, Collins Wilson, Codi Wilson, Savannah Wilson, and Vivienne Wilson; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen Palmer and Thomas Charles Palmer; his brother, Billy Wayne Hill, and his sister, Sue Strahan; his wife, Betty Palmer; his stepson, Robert Wilson; and his grandson, Trent Wilson. The family would like to specifically thank Gary and Tammy Thrasher and Dorothy Wilson for all their care and assistance over the years. They have been a blessing. Visitation will be held on Thursday, June 13th from 12:00 – 2:00 pm at the Etowah Memorial Chapel. The funeral service will be at 2:00 pm at the funeral home chapel, with Brother Barry Williams officiating. Burial will be immediately following at Friendship Missionary Baptist Cemetery in Boaz. Pallbearers will be Derek Wilson, Heath Wilson, Zach Painter, Ethan Painter, Cameron Palmer and Todd Jones. Etowah Memorial Chapel Directing.

Myron Loyal Palmer

August 16, 1941 - June 6, 2024