William Carlos Cooper

Bill was the son of the late James A.Cooper, Sr. and Edna Carter Cooper. He was born in Fresno, California on October 28, 1930 during the depression. His father was a traveling shoe salesman and they moved quite frequently.

Bill graduated from Oxford University High School in Oxford, Ms in 1949 and then attended University of Mississippi at Oxford the following fall. During the summer in college he worked for the U.S. Forestry Service in Idaho with his brother, Jim, to help prevent forest fires. In 1952, his country called and he joined the U.S. Army, serving in the Signal Corp at the Pentagon during the Korean Conflict until 1954, when he returned to civilian life to resume his education in Mississippi.

Bill took a job in Dallas, Texas as a shoe salesman with a major shoe company. This is where he met his wife, Margaret Russell. They celebrated their 62nd wedding anniversary April 6th of this year. Shortly after marrying he transitioned to insurance sales and this is where he spent the rest of his successful career. In his free time he enjoyed playing golf and some would say it was his obsession (especially his wife). He had, after all, been playing since he was a young boy. His parents were avid golfers and passed their love of golf down to their sons. He especially loved to play golf with his brother (Jim) and his son (Jeff).

Bill gave his life to Jesus in his twenties and was a faithful follower until his death. He was a long time member of Oliver Creek Church of Christ in Arlington, Tennessee (formerly Brownsville Road Church of Christ of Bartlett).

Bill leaves his wife Margaret Russell Cooper (Marge) of Bartlett, TN; son William Jeffrey Cooper (Jeff) and wife Susan of Cordova, TN; daughter Julie Cooper Mitchell and husband Wayne of Selmer, TN; daughter Jennifer Cooper Gummere (Jenny) and husband Kelly of Memphis, TN; grandson Dr. Lincoln Mitchell (US Army) of Tacoma, WA; granddaughter Dr. Olivia Mitchell Parker and husband Cory of Savannah, TN; granddaughter Molly Mitchell of Selmer, TN; granddaughter Morgan Stallings of Cordova, TN; granddaughter Chloe Stallings of Ventura, CA; and a host of nieces and nephews whom he dearly loved.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his brother James (Jim) Cooper Jr. of Grenada, MS; his sister Muriel Cooper Strong of Zephyrhills, Fl; and his beloved nephew Alvin (Al) Cooper, III of Grenada, MS.

In Lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Children’s Home Inc. of Paragould, AR (www.childrenshomes.org) or to missions at Oliver Creek Church of Christ (www.olivercreek.org).

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Crossroads Hospice and Right at Home for their excellent care.

Visitation will occur Friday, June 13, 2025 from 11:00 AM until the funeral service at 12:00 PM, at Oliver Creek Church of Christ, 8313 US-70, Arlington, TN 38002. A committal service will follow at Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 3700 N Germantown Pkwy, Bartlett, TN 38133.