 1934 - 2017 (82 years)
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| Name |
William Cornelius Cooper [1, 2, 3, 4] |
| Suffix |
Jr |
| Birth |
5 Jun 1934 |
Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA  [1, 2, 3, 4] |
| Gender |
Male |
| Also Known As |
Billy |
| Residence |
1935 |
Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA [4] |
| Residence |
1940 |
Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA [4] |
| StreetAddress: West Haven; 5 Age: 5; AttendedSchool: No; CityWard: 6; EnumerationDistrict: 64-39; Single MaritalStatus: Single; Son RelationToHead: Son |
| Residence |
1950 |
Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA [3] |
| 15 Age: 15; EnumerationDistrict: 64-42; Son RelationToHead: Son; Never Married MaritalStatus: Single |
| Death |
29 Jan 2017 |
Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA [1] |
- On January 29, 2017, Dr. William (“Billy”) C. Cooper, Jr., 82, died peacefully following a courageous battle against declining health. Dr. Cooper was born on June 5, 1934 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, to William C. Cooper, Sr., and Willie Odom Cooper. Dr. Cooper was predeceased by his parents, as well as his sisters, Doris Cooper Wrenn and Jean Cooper Barefoot, his brothers-in-law, Don Scarboro, Roy Lee Fulcher, Everette Barefoot, and Jack Fenner, and sister-in-law, B.J. Fulcher Fenner.
Dr. Cooper is survived by his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Janet Fulcher Cooper. Dr. Cooper and his wife met in high school and were high school sweethearts. Dr. Cooper is also survived by his three devoted children, daughter Audrey Lane Cooper of Rocky Mount, son William Scott Cooper, Sr. and daughter-in-law, Laurie Phillips Cooper, of Raleigh, and daughter Elizabeth Cooper Rose and son-in-law, Jep Rose, of Rocky Mount.
Dr. Cooper is survived by five loving and beautiful grandchildren, Rachel Cooper Torres and her husband, Eric Torres, of Fuquay Varina, William (“Will”) Scott Cooper, Jr., of Raleigh, Sarah Jane Cooper of Boone, Mary Ashley Rose of Raleigh, and Lucy Cooper Rose of Chapel Hill, as well as sister-in-law, Audrey Fulcher Scarboro, of Rocky Mount, brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Freddy and Sarah Fulcher, and nieces and nephews.
In 1952, Dr. Cooper graduated from Rocky Mount High School, where he was a star quarterback on the football team and voted the best all-around boy in his graduating class. He was a dedicated member of Troop 11 of the Boy Scouts, during which Bill Draper, his scoutmaster, became one of Dr. Cooper’s most ardent mentors. Dr. Cooper attained the rank of Eagle Scout.
Upon his high school graduation, Dr. Cooper entered Union College in Schenectady, New York, where he played as the quarterback for the football team for 2 years, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in 1956, graduating with honors. From Union College, Dr. Cooper entered Duke Medical School, where he was president of the junior and senior medical school classes and was a member of Alpha Omega Alpha, honorary medical fraternity.
Dr. Cooper interned at Duke in pediatrics in 1960-1961, and his first year of pediatric residency was served at Duke in 1961-1962. In 1962, he entered the Army and spent two years at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he was active in pediatrics at the Army base. In 1964, Dr. Cooper returned to Duke as chief resident and completed his residency in pediatrics. He went into practice with two pediatricians in Lumberton, but returned to Rocky Mount where he opened his own private practice on February 14, 1966.
Dr. Cooper practiced medicine for approximately 48 years. Following his retirement, he worked as a volunteer at Nash General Hospital for around 6 years.
Dr. Cooper loved to read, watch movies, travel to the beach, sports, including going to Duke football games with his daughter, Audrey, and especially being with family and friends. He was a faithful member of The Church of the Good Shepherd from 1966 until his death.
Dr. Cooper was blessed with a brilliant mind, but most importantly, he utilized his intellect, skills, and abilities to serve God through tirelessly treating and healing his little patients, as well as providing encouragement, hope, and deep empathy to their families. Dr. Cooper became a physician, so that he could provide service to others, and he dedicated his life to striving at all times to alleviate suffering. He went beyond the call of duty, such as the many holidays he made house calls to treat sick or injured children, so that it would be easier for the children and their families. He always worked hard to make life better for others.
Dr. Cooper always lived his life with the highest standards of ethics, honesty, and good character. He had a gentle, calm, and sweet spirit. He was deeply compassionate and loving to all people. He was always forgiving of those who hurt him and never criticized or judged others. Dr. Cooper epitomized all of the fruits of the spirit - gentleness, faithfulness, patience, love, joy, self-control, peace, goodness, and kindness.
His wife knew him as a devoted, committed, and loving husband, and his children and grandchildren knew him as a beloved and precious Father and grandfather. He was a loyal and fine friend and had a great sense of humor. Dr. Cooper was adored by his family and will be deeply missed. Dr. Cooper also loved animals and will be very much missed by his Collie, Teddy, and his cat, Abigail. Whenever Dr. Cooper’s family thinks of him and his life, they think of the Bible verse, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”
The family would like to extend their deep and abiding appreciation to Dr. Timothy C. Smith, who was Dr. Cooper’s dedicated and outstanding physician for many years, as well as being a very dear and special friend to Dr. Cooper and his family. The family also wishes to thank the physicians and nurses who cared for him at Vidant Edgecombe Hospital in Tarboro upon his last admission to the hospital, as well as the staff at Autumn Care of Nash, who lovingly cared for him during his last days.
Funeral arrangements are provided by Wheeler and Woodlief of Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 3, at Wheeler and Woodlief. A memorial service to celebrate Dr. Cooper’s life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 4, at The Church of the Good Shepherd in Rocky Mount. Following the service, interment will be held at Pineview Cemetery in Rocky Mount.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts be made to The Church of the Good Shepherd, 231 N. Church Street, Rocky Mount, NC 27804, or Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina, P.O. Box 127, Lake Waccamaw, NC 28450.
Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com.
https://www.wheeler-woodlief.com/obituary/william-c-cooper/
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| Burial |
4 Feb 2017 |
Pineview Cemetery, Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA [1] |
| Person ID |
I43900 |
tng Genealogy |
| Father |
William Cornelius Cooper, Sr, b. 31 Aug 1903, Sampson, North Carolina, USA d. 9 Nov 1988, Dunn, Harnett, North Carolina, USA (Age 85 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Mother |
Willie Pierce Odom, b. 16 Jul 1898, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe, North Carolina, USA d. 3 Aug 1967, Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA (Age 69 years) |
| Relationship |
natural |
| Marriage |
11 Dec 1931 |
Richmond, Virginia, USA [5] |
| Marriage License |
Richmond, Virginia, USA [5] |
| Family ID |
F16531 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Family |
Janet Deloris Fulcher, b. 12 Nov 1934, Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA d. 24 Oct 2020, Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA (Age 85 years) |
| Marriage |
21 Jun 1958 |
Nash, North Carolina, USA [2] |
| Children |
|
| Family ID |
F16533 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
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| Event Map |
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 | Birth - 5 Jun 1934 - Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA |
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| Residence - 1935 - Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA |
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| Residence - StreetAddress: West Haven; 5 Age: 5; AttendedSchool: No; CityWard: 6; EnumerationDistrict: 64-39; Single MaritalStatus: Single; Son RelationToHead: Son - 1940 - Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA |
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| Residence - 15 Age: 15; EnumerationDistrict: 64-42; Son RelationToHead: Son; Never Married MaritalStatus: Single - 1950 - Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA |
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 | Marriage - 21 Jun 1958 - Nash, North Carolina, USA |
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| Death - 29 Jan 2017 - Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina, USA |
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| Sources |
- [S541] Ancestry.com, U.S., Find A Grave Index, 1600s-Current, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;), https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175948714/william-c.-cooper.
Record for Dr William C. Cooper
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60525&h=140450290&indiv=try
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60525&h=140450290&indiv=try
- [S547] Ancestry.com, North Carolina, Marriage Records, 1741-2011, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2015;).
Record for William Cornelius Jr Cooper
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60548&h=4362992&indiv=try
[ View marriage certificate]
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=60548&h=4362992&indiv=try
- [S697] Ancestry.com, 1950 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2022;).
United States of America, Bureau of the Census; Washington, D.C.; Seventeenth Census of the United States, 1950; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790-2007; Record Group Number: 29; Residence Date: 1950; Home in 1950: Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina; Roll: 2467; Sheet Number: 12; Enumeration District: 64-42
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=62308&h=147699780&indiv=try
[ View Federal Census Document]
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=62308&h=147699780&indiv=try
- [S474] Ancestry.com, 1940 United States Federal Census, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2012;).
Year: 1940; Census Place: Rocky Mount, Nash, North Carolina; Roll: m-t0627-02949; Page: 34A; Enumeration District: 64-39
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=2442&h=153722383&indiv=try
[ View Federal Census Document]
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=2442&h=153722383&indiv=try
- [S702] Ancestry.com, Virginia, U.S., Marriage Registers, 1853-1935, (Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Lehi, UT, USA; Date: 2022;).
Library of Virginia; Richmond, VA; Virginia Marriages, 1853-1935
https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db=62154&h=623884&indiv=try
[ View marriage certificate]
Name: William Cornelius Cooper
Race: White
Age: 28
Birth Date: abt 1903
Marriage Date: 11 Dec 1931
Marriage Place: Virginia, USA
Marriage License Place: Orion, Richmond
Person performing the Ceremony: J H Binford Peay
Parent 1: E R Cooper
Parent 2: Lou Duncan
Spouse:
Willie O Carpenter
Occupation: Farmer
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