Billy Cook

Bill B. Cook Billy Bob Cook, Sr., lifelong resident of Coffeyville, Kansas, died Thursday, August 9, 2007, at his home. He was 82. The son of William Frank and Daisy May Knisley Cook, Sr., he was born Oct. 2, 1924, in Coffeyville, Kansas. He grew up in Coffeyville where he received his education. He received his plumbers license at the age of 17 and assisted his brother, Marvin, in the establishment of Cook Plumbing. He joined the US Army and served in the Chemical Warfare Division during WWII. Following his honorable discharge, he returned home and was united in marriage to Grace Irma Coldwell on June 24, 1945 in Independence, Kansas. Mr. Cook joined the Coffeyville Fire Department in 1944 where he served for 31 years. At his retirment in 1975, he had risen to the rank of Assistant Fire Chief for the department. During this time, Mr. Cook was also involved with residential and commercial construction in the Coffeyville area. Additionally, he assisted his brothers in the establishment of Cook Manufacturing Co. in Coffeyville. Woodworking was a hobby for Bill and he produced many professional grade pieces of furniture. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, the Keystone Lodge, A.F. amp; A.M. 102, the Mirza Shrine of Pittsburg, KS, the Fort Scott Consistory, the American Legion and Firefighters Local 265. In addition to his wife, he is survived by one daughter, Kathy Lou Neale and her husband Eddie of Columbia, MO; two sons, Chris Cook and his wife Debra of Bartlesville, OK, and Tim Cook and his wife Sandra of Longmont, CO; two brothers, Raymond and Jim Cook, both of Coffeyville; two sisters, Betty Wintle of Parsons, KS, and Shirley Roberts of Coffeyville; six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; one son, Billy Bob Jr.; five brothers, W. F. Frankie Jr., Marvin, Donald, Jack and Johnny. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, August 17, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Ford-Wulf-Bruns Chapel. Interment will be in Penwell-Gabel Restlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Friends may call to register Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church and may be left at the funeral home. To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.PenwellGabel.com