Our father, William David Cook, Sr. passed away at our Monticello family residence on Friday, August 8, 2014 following a lengthy and courageous battle with prostate cancer. Dad entered this world on Thursday, August 27, 1936. He had a very humble upbringing as a child. During his formative years, he lived in two separate boys homes as a child in Mobile, Alabama; the Catholic Boys Home and the Wilmer Hall Children's Home. At the age of seventeen, our father joined the United States Air Force and remained there until he retired as a Master Sergeant on September 1, 1974. During his twenty plus year career, our father was stationed in Goose Bay, Labrador, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (twice), Biloxi, Mississippi, Hokkaido, Japan, Alcoy, Spain, Pickstown, South Dakota, King Salmon, Alaska, Orlando, Florida and Homestead, Florida. Dad had over five thousand flying hours while serving our country and retired as his "crew chief" in the EC-121 model Super Constellation Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) aircraft . As a Staff Sergeant of the 966th AEW&C Squadron (RE: Gold Digger Missions), he achieved an "Expert" Radar Supervisor status. The prime mission of the 966th was to monitor and track the arrival of U-2 aircraft that frequently flew photograph missions over Cuba. It was these Gold Digger missions that reminds one of the early barnstorming days of flying. These huge Super Constellations flew Gold Digger missions at or near, or lower than fifty feet in altitude creating large rooster tails on the Gulf off the Florida Keys from their prop wash. In addition to his countless letters of appreciation and commendations from his immediate supervisors, he received two Air Force Commendation Medals for his meritorious service, as well as the highly coveted Air Medal for his meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight from November 8, 1969 to July 10, 1973. After retiring from the Air Force, our family moved to Monticello, Arkansas. Our dad later joined, spent twenty years, and then retired from the Arkansas Forestry Commission where he earned the rank of Forest Ranger III. During his time in the forestry commission, he volunteered to be a part of the "search and recovery team" for artifacts for the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in February 2003 in East Texas. Our father was a "workaholic!" He never really retired a family could not ask for a better provider and a more caring husband and father! Even though he formally retired twice, he also went to Idaho to assist with fighting wildfires, he worked for Doug Grimmett and Dan Estes in performing controlled burns, and he continued to help his sons at our family land in Junction City. We have spent a lot of quality time there conducting controlled burns, planting trees, planting food plots, building deer stands and deer camps, hunting, and riding four-wheelers! About the only thing our father enjoyed more than his children were spending time with his wife, Carolyn, and camping with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mom and Dad were married on August 14, 1958 they would have been married fifty-six years August 14, 2014! She is absolutely the love of his life!
Our father was preceded in death by his father, Louie Cook, and mother, Flora Shilling-Cook, one brother, LB Cook, two sisters, Flossie Gillespie and Betty Crater, and one son, William "Billy" David Cook, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Cook, two sons, Jimmy and wife Shirley Cook of Camden, and Louis and wife Karri Cook of Bossier City, Louisiana, and one brother, Julius Cook of Burlington, Vermont. He had four grandchildren; Anna Miller, Will Cook, Jennifer Cook, and Lauren Wiethaupt. He had six great grandchildren, brother and sister in-laws, countless cousins, eight nephews, four nieces, friends and many other cherished loved ones. Visitation for our father will be held Sunday, August 10, 2014 from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel. Funeral services for our father will be held at the Stephenson-Dearman Funeral Chapel in Monticello, Arkansas on Monday, August 11, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Dad will be buried with full military honors. His final resting place will be beside his son, Billy, in the Lone Sassafras Cemetery immediately following the funeral services. Pall Bearers include: Doug Grimmett, Jerry Smith, Doyle Rogers, Mickey Finley, Larry Fisackerly, and Roger Harris. Honorary Pall Bearers include Hugh Harris, Ted Burton, Nate Trauger, Robert Gillespie, Paul Gillespie, and Patrick Cook.
We want to especially thank the Monticello Church of Christ, where he has been an active member, the nursing staff, radiologists, urologists, and oncologists at the Little Rock John L. McClellan Memorial Veterans Hospital and the radiology team at UAMS. In lieu of flowers, we are requesting that you consider making a donation to the cancer research foundation of your choice. We look forward to fellowshipping with his friends and family! Gone but never to be forgotten!
Condolences(30)
Barbara Hayden
Monticello, AR Wednesday, August 13, 2014 Ms. Carolyn I just found out about your loss. I am so sorry.please know I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts
Don't you know he and my dad, Ollie, are already telling some tale to one another. Please let me know if I can help you. Love you Ms Carolyn
Charlie Wilson
Sacramento, CA Wednesday, August 13, 2014 I am deeply saddened by your father's passing.Bill was one of the finest people I served with (King Salmon) during my twenty years of military service. I'm
confident God is utilizing his talents in His reception center. My condolences to the entire Cook Family..
Chuck Wilson
kimberly Phillips
Monticello, AR Tuesday, August 12, 2014 Praying for all the family. So sorry Louis, your class mate, Kimberly PhillipsEvelyn Hopper
Shawnee, KS Monday, August 11, 2014 So sorry to see that Mr. Cook has passed away. We enjoyed getting know Mrs. Carolyn and him when we lived across from them on College St. They were such wonderful neighbors.David Jordan
Conway, AR Monday, August 11, 2014 So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you Louis and Family.Your High School Friend,
David Jordan
Amy Daniels
Beebe, AR Monday, August 11, 2014 May all your precious memories give you strength and the smiles. God Bless you all.CMSgt Edward Beard, USAF, Ret
Aurora, CO Monday, August 11, 2014 Rest in Honored Peace, Sergeant. I didn't know you, but any comrade-in-arms death has an effect on all who served. Thank you for your service to your country, your family and your fellow Americans. My condolences to the family.Paul Cook
Burlington, VT Monday, August 11, 2014 That was a great tribute. Like all of the family immediate and extended, your father meant a great deal to me, and I really regret not making it to see him.My warmest condolences to all his family, and I too will never forget him.
-Paul
Valerie Thompson
Monticello, AR Monday, August 11, 2014 He will be missed, and you are in my prayers.Robert Moore and family
Monticello, AR Monday, August 11, 2014 Thought and prayers to the familyMark and Angie Smith
Bismarck, AR Monday, August 11, 2014 So sorry for your loss. Praying for your family.Stephanie(Tucker)Milton
Chatsworth, GA Monday, August 11, 2014 To my dear high school friend Louis: I am so sorry for the loss of your dad. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.Much love my friend,
Steph
Paige (Hill) Stell
Monticello, AR Monday, August 11, 2014 You are all in my thoughts and prayers during this time. Thank you so much for allowing me to care for this sweet man and sharing your stories with me. He will be missed by many and had the love of many as well.Love, Paige
Deeanna Laurence
Bossier City, LA Monday, August 11, 2014 So sorry for your loss! He was such a sweet man! I'm so blessed to have had the pleasure of meeting him. Wish I had gotten to know him better!! I enjoyed being around him...everyone seemed to smile when he was around! Rest In Peace! You are going to be greatly missed!James & Mary Lasiter
Wilmar, AR Sunday, August 10, 2014 To the family you are in our thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Always remember the love and good times. RIPMelissa Adkins Smith
Quinlan, TX Sunday, August 10, 2014 Sending prayersMichael Dozier
Quinlan, TX Sunday, August 10, 2014 Sorry for your lost. Always in our prayersGlenda dedmon
Alba, TX Sunday, August 10, 2014 Uncle. Dub will be missed. May you rest in peace, cause I know you are saving lives and singing. May you see everyone. I Love you your niece Glenda FayeCurtis L. Hookd
Shreveport, LA Sunday, August 10, 2014 My prayers are with you and your family.Debbie Walls
Monticello, AR Sunday, August 10, 2014 Ms. Carolyn I am so sorry for your loss and pray that God wraps his loving arms around you and your family during this time of loss.Hugh Harris
Montgomery, AL Sunday, August 10, 2014 Bill and I arrived at McCoy togather in 1967. Had lots of fun Flying. When off duty we Fished Lake Conway. Rest in Peace good Friend.chris&david
shreveport, LA Sunday, August 10, 2014 we are so sorry for your loss. you and your family will be in our prayers.sending something to St.Jude's in honor of your dadBeth Davis
Monticello, AR Sunday, August 10, 2014 Ms Caroline, my thoughts and prayers are with youMaxann Wigley Mizell
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 9, 2014 Anna and Jennifer....your family/family friends are in my thoughts and prayers thru this difficult time......sending love to y'all.....Barbara Burks McElroy
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 9, 2014 My step son Alan McElroy worked with Mr. Cook at the forestry dept. And really thought a lot of him. At the time of Alan' s death Mr. Cook was so very nice to our family. He was such a nice man. Family you are in my prayers.Cindy Luper
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 9, 2014 I'm so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers. Sincerely, Cindy LuperJosh & Angie Frost
Savannah, GA Saturday, August 9, 2014 Carolyn (Cookie): I was so shocked to hear today that your husband had passed away. I am thinking and praying for you and your family during this difficult time. Much love to you!nancy poudrier
shreveport, LA Saturday, August 9, 2014 I am so sorry for your loss.. I only met him a few times but I know he was a great man.. I know this because of Louis and karrie..praying for the family...Pat Savage Montgomry
Monticello, AR Saturday, August 9, 2014 Thoughts and prayers.Karen Pirtle Moellenberndt
Warren, AR Friday, August 8, 2014 Mr William Cook was a really nice man.Him and my Dad, Walter Pirtle both worked for the Arkansas Forestry Commission. May God comfort the family at this time as only He can. God Bless.