A man of profound faith, William Russell Cooper was called home by his Lord and Savior on November 28, 2020. Born in San Antonio, Texas, on October 16, 1936, Bill grew up in Dallas, where he graduated from North Dallas High School. He attended Southern Methodist University and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in 1958.
Bill then proudly served as an officer in the U.S. Army from 1959 through 1961. His fundamental love of country and respect for those who serve our country extended well beyond his years of military service, and it permeated his philanthropic interests throughout his lifetime. His dedication to helping veterans find employment and to supporting military organizations – such as Operation Appreciation and Steak Team Mission, which cooks meals for active-duty service members – was woven into the very fabric of who Bill was as a man.
After his years in the Army, Bill joined Murray Investment Company, a Dallas mortgage bank, where he managed the commercial loan division. In 1966, Bill joined Lincoln Property Company as a managing partner, where he learned how to structure large-scale development and financial partnerships from two real estate giants, Trammel Crow and Mack Pogue. Bill felt right at home in his new role, having grown up as the son of an architect. Bill would travel the streets of Dallas to study key aspects of design and construction, with the goal of developing and owning residential properties. His inaugural venture in development was a small apartment project in Oak Lawn.
This initial project would later launch and shape Bill’s career as founder in 1979 of Paragon Group. As D Magazine described him, Bill was one of the Dallas dynamos who left the Crow’s nest to soar on his own, and soar he did. In 1994, Paragon Group became a publicly traded real estate investment trust listed on the New York Stock Exchange. In 1997, Paragon Group later merged with Camden Property Trust, forming one of the nation’s largest apartment companies. As a premier developer, Bill built and owned thousands of units from coast to coast and operated company offices across the U.S. as well. Despite this growth and his success, Bill believed in the virtue of honesty and throughout his lifetime remained a man of his word. In addition to descriptors, such as dealmaker, mentor, and astute businessman, Bill was also regarded professionally and personally as generous, kind, respected, trustworthy, and a true gentleman.
Outside of Paragon Group, Bill served on the corporate boards of both Camden Property Trust and Mercantile Bank. He also shared his wisdom, guidance, mentorship, and support through his volunteer board engagement with many national, state, and local non-profit organizations. At the broadest level, he was actively involved with the National Realty Committee, the Society of Office and Industrial Realtors, and the Urban Land Institute. For the state of Texas, he chaired the Governor’s Committee for Office Facilities. In Dallas, he championed The Salvation Army of Dallas; SMU Edwin L. Cox School of Business (1985-2020), as an executive board member; Presbyterian Healthcare Foundation; Dallas Country Club Board of Governors, where he served as past president; and Highland Park Presbyterian Church, as an Elder elected by the congregation to provide spiritual and visionary oversight for ministries and mission.
A humble philanthropist, Bill preferred to bypass any sort of individual spotlight. Instead, he found great joy in quietly opening doors to educational opportunity, advancing his faith through mission outreach, extending access to healthcare, and investing in our U.S. democracy. He especially enjoyed sharing his love of architecture with the public. The fountain at the entrance of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital of Dallas and the Cooper Centennial Fountain in SMU’s Centennial Pavilion exemplify this and welcome visitors as warmly as Bill greeted those he knew.
As a proud SMU alumnus and Mustang fan, Bill never missed an opportunity to promote his alma mater. Cast permanently in his school colors of blue and red, Bill often spoke with young high school students about the benefits of higher education and encouraged them to become Mustangs, too.
An avid hunter, fisherman, and golfer, Bill loved the outdoors and cherished trips and adventures with family and friends. At Dallas Country Club, Bill enjoyed daily gin rummy games at the 19th Hole and each Saturday morning’s “wisdom table”. He also held memberships at the Beach and Tennis Club, and Monterey Peninsula Country Club in Pebble Beach, California.
Many know Bill as a great mentor, partner, and friend, full of care and a genuine willingness to help others. He combined this generosity with a quick, yet kind sense of humor and an incredible knack for tagging everyone with a nickname. His best friends and new acquaintances alike were happy recipients of his limitless repertoire of sobriquets. It was part of Bill’s rare ability to make everyone around him feel like a best friend.
Nothing was more important to Bill than his family, and he will cherish his reunion in Heaven with those who preceded him in death: his parents, Peyton Graham Cooper and Esther Lloyd Cooper; his father and mother-in-law, Clifford Walter Smith and Oma Lee Gregory Smith; his brother, Peyton R. Cooper; and his sister, Denise Cooper Grace.
Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years and the love of his life, Susan Smith Cooper; his son, Craig A. Cooper, and daughter-in-law, Ami; and his daughter, Catherine “Katie” Cooper Matthews; as well as his four grandchildren: Caroline and William Cooper, and Thomas “Butch” and Cooper Matthews. Bill is also survived by his brothers, Rick Cooper and Michael Cooper; sisters, Sherry Cooper Ickes, Carol Cooper, and Linda Cooper Kirkpatrick; sister-in law, Jane Smith Monell; brother-in-law, John G. Smith; sister-in law, Charlene D. Smith; his many nieces and nephews; Dolores Morales, caregiver to all of his family and friends; and Henry, his beloved dog. Bill also leaves behind a dedicated Paragon family, who will miss him dearly.
Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, Bill’s family will be holding a private memorial service and burial. Honorary pallbearers will be Dewayne Chitwood, Mike Easterling, Paul Hinch, Mack Pogue, George Poston, Fred Rice, Neal Runnels, and Robert Wilson. In late spring or fall 2021, Bill’s family will host a Celebration of Life, and they sincerely hope all who are near and dear will join in that celebration.
Bill will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him. With gratitude for that, the family welcomes, in lieu of flowers, donations in Bill’s name to two of his beloved causes: Southern Methodist University, William Cooper Scholarship Fund, PO Box 281, Dallas, Texas 75275-0281, or to Highland Park Presbyterian Church Mission Fund, 3821 University Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75205.
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18