WASHINGTON -Bill Hopkins, plant manager for DuPont's Washington Works facility, is retiring.

Company external affairs officer Robin Ollis-Stemple said Hopkins' retirement is effective Dec. 31.

Hopkins, a Belle, W.Va. native, who graduated from DuPont High, is stepping down after almost 30 years with the company. He started at the company's Belle facility in 1980. He was transferred to Washington Works in 1990.

Ollis-Stemple said Hopkins was also transferred to Dordrecht Works in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2001, before returning to Washington Works. He's been plant manager of the Washington Works plant since 2005.

"He's spent a little over half his career here at the plant in different capacities," Ollis-Stemple said.

DuPont's Washington Works plant, which opened in 1948, employs about 1,600 workers and is the single-largest taxpayer in Wood County.

Ollis-Stemple said Hopkins sent out a letter to employees this week announcing his decision. In the letter, Hopkins, 52, indicated he and his family would be relocating to the Chicago area.

"One of the things he said was when he started with DuPont in 1980, his dream job was to be a plant manager and he was pleased to fulfill that dream," Ollis-Stemple said, "And he thanked the employees for making it a wonderful reality."

Local officials said Hopkins will be greatly missed. Keith Burdette, president of the Wood County Economic Development Authority, said Hopkins was a fighter when it came to keeping company jobs in the area during hard times.

"He worked hard to retain and keep those full-time DuPont jobs when others were downsizing," Burdette said. "He has bled for this community."

Wood County Commission President Rick Modesitt also expressed regret at Hopkins' departure. Modesitt said Hopkins was a great asset to the community and cooperative with local government."

"I enjoyed getting to know him and working with him," Modesitt said. "He will certainly be missed."

Hopkins was also a member of the Economic Development Board, the United Way Board of Directors and West Virginia University-Parkersburg's Board of Directors.

Ollis-Stemple said Hopkins' replacement has not yet been named. Modesitt is hopeful the new replacement can follow Hopkins' mold.

"Anytime you have a new plant manager with one of the leading companies and employers in your area you wonder how civic-minded they will be," he said.

"He was a straight shooter and top-notch guy," Burdette said. "It will be a real hole in the community."