William Edward Cooper

COOPER, WILLIAM EDWARD (BILL) William E. (Bill) Cooper, a Dallas civic and business leader and philanthropist, passed away early Thursday, March 6, 2008, in Dallas, Texas, from complications due to congestive heart failure. He died peacefully and was surrounded by his family. He was 86 years old. Mr. Cooper was born on October 16, 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. He was the fifth of Percy and Natalie Cooper's six children. He served his country as a B-29 pilot and captain in the Army Air Corps during World War II in the 315th Bomb Wing in the Asiatic-Pacific theatre. He was instrumental in the formation of the 315th Bomb Wing Association in 1984. Mr. Cooper received his B.S. Degree in business administration from Wichita State University in 1948 and began his career in Wichita with Western Lithograph Company, which brought him to Dallas in 1952. In 1958, he joined Trammell Crow as General Manager of the Decorative Center, the genesis of the Dallas Market Center. Over the next 25 years, he shepherded the Market Center, which also included the Homefurnishings Mart, Trade Mart, Market Hall, Apparel Mart, the Anatole Hotel, and the Infomart as it grew into the world's largest wholesale merchandise mart. He retired from the Market Center in 1983 as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. He remained Chairman Emeritus. For the last 25 years, he has directed W.E. Cooper Investments and devoted his many talents and energies to civic, educational and philanthropic endeavors. From 1984-1990, he used his experience in the building of the Zale-Lipshy Hospital at The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center and the additions to Parkland Hospital. Mr. Cooper's avid interest in aviation began in college when he worked part time for Beechcraft in Wichita. He held a private pilot's license for 48 years, until 1991. Mr. Cooper was affiliated with the North Texas Commission as Chairman of the North Texas Aviation Council and the Aviation Development Committee, the Dallas Fort Worth Airport Development Committee, the Dallas Chamber of Commerce Aviation Committee and International Air Routes Sub-Committee, and served as Chairman of the DFW International Airport Board. He was a member of the Commemorative Air Force for 40 years. In 1988, Mr. Cooper joined two fellow aviation enthusiasts, Jan Collmer and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchinson to found the Frontiers of Flight Museum at Love Field in Dallas. He remained involved in the museum's development and growth for the rest of his life. Mr. Cooper's commitments reached far beyond the city of Dallas. His international involvement spanned over 40 years. In addition to his involvement with the World Affairs Council of Dallas-Fort Worth (which awarded him the coveted Neil Mallon Award for Distinguished Service in 1985), he served on the World Trade Committee of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce, the International Trade Association, both the Regional and National Export Expansion Council, the International Good Neighbor Council, and held the distinguished title of chairman Emeritus of the International Committee of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce. A dedicated member of the The Rotary Club of Dallas since 1962, Mr. Cooper served as President in 1973. He also served on numerous committees and hosted many Rotary events including the 1982 Rotary International Convention in Dallas. Mr. Cooper was instrumental in the planning and fundraising for the National Republican Convention in Dallas in 1984. Among his many honors, recognitions and awards are the 1976 Outstanding Alumni of Wichita State University ; The Brotherhood Citation from the National Conference of Christians and Jews in 1980, the World Trade Award from the Dallas Market Center in 1981; Southwesterner of the Year of the Southwestern Furniture Manufacturers Association in 1982; and the Pillar of the Industry Award from the International Home Furnishings Representatives Association in 1982; the Outstanding Leadership Award from the National Home Fashion League in 1983; the L. Storey Stemmons Award from the Dallas Urban League in 1984, The George Haddaway Award in 1993; and was selected by the YWCA as a recipient for its Mentors and Allies Award in 1998; and the J. Erik Jonsson Award in 1999 from the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport Board. A dedicated, life-long Catholic, Mr. Cooper helped to establish St. Rita Catholic Community in Dallas. He remained involved in the Catholic community in Dallas, spending much of his later years giving his time and talents toJesuit College Preparatory School on Inwood Road, whether it was raising money for scholarships or chairing building committees. He is a former member of the school's board and of the Jesuit Foundation. He was named Jesuit College Preparatory School Man of the Year in 1991. Mr. Cooper was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Richard Cooper, and three of his four sisters, Marguerite Lohkamp, Edwina Roy and Janice Glotzbach. He is survived by the love of his life for nearly 61 years, Suzanne Blessington Cooper, whom he married on June 2, 1947; their four children: Rick Cooper, Centennial, Colorado; Lyn Abercrombie and her husband, Don, Carrollton; Kitty Wilson and her husband, James, Dallas; and Tom Cooper and his wife, Shelley, Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is survived by his fourteen grandchildren including Christa Cooper Gilstrap, and her husband, Jason, Highlands Ranch, Colorado; Debbie Cooper, Suzanne Cooper and Dan Cooper, all of Centennial, Colorado; Scot Abercrombie and his wife, Nancy, Aurora, Colorado, Nicole Abercrombie, Seattle, Washington, Holland Abercrombie Hammers and her husband, Bob, Lewisville; and Richard Abercrombie, Carrollton; Nick Wilson, Richardson; and Greg Wilson, Dallas; and John Cooper, Lucy Cooper, Robert Cooper and Brian Cooper all of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He is also survived by two great-grandchildren, Robbie Hammers, Lewisville and Peyton Gilstrap, Highlands Ranch, Colorado. Mr. Cooper is also survived by his sister, Kitty Hunter, Wichita, Kansas. Vigil service with Rosary, Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 9, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Community, Dallas, Texas. Rev. Phil Postell, S.J., president of Jesuit College Preparatory School, will officiate. Rev. Monsignor Mark Seitz, St. Rita pastor, and Fr. Postell will concelebrate the Mass for Christian Burial on Monday, March 10, 2008, at 10 a.m. also at St. Rita. Internment will be at Calvary Cemetery, Dallas, Texas. Pall Bearers include: Dr. Ron Anderson, Paul Bass, Dave Braden, Paul Broyhill, Jan Collmer, Harlan Crow, Pete Schenkel, and George Shafer. Honorary Pall Bearers include: Bob Coon, Trammell Crow, Lee Halford, Manny Horowitz and George Schrader. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Jesuit School Scholarship Fund, Jesuit College Preparatory School, 12345 Inwood Road,, Dallas 75244-8094; Frontiers of Flight Museum. 6911 Lemmon Ave., Dallas 75209, Dallas; or Parkland Foundation - Cardiovascular, 2777 Stemmons Freeway, Suite 1700, Dalllas 75207. Dignity Memorial Sparkman Hillcrest 7405 W. Northwest Hwy. Dallas (214) 363-5401