William Edward Cooper, Jr. of Loudon, Tenn., passed away January 21, 2026. Bill, as he was known to all, was 78 years old.
Born in Everett, Mass. on October 14, 1947 to the late William E. Cooper and Myrtle Murray Cooper, Bill grew up in the Glendale Square area of Everett where he and his family were actively involved in the Glendale Methodist Church. As Bill Sr. was a thirty-third degree Mason, Bill Jr. was active in the Order of DeMolay where he was a DeMolay Past Master Councilor (PMC), Everett Chapter DeMolay.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne H. (Teal) Cooper; parents, William E. Cooper and Myrtle Murray Cooper; grandparents, Edward and Jesse Cooper, and Duncan and Ida Murray; his aunts, Hazel Murray and Stella Murray; his uncle Ernest Murray and his wife, Jean Murray.
Bill graduated from Everett High School in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1966 - deploying to Vietnam in December 1967. He was wounded in Vietnam, receiving the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. Upon returning stateside, Bill served as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Campbell in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While Bill served in the Army, he married his wife, Suzanne H. (Teal) Cooper.
Following his military service, Bill joined the Post Office Department - the forerunner of the United States Postal Service - in 1970. While working, Bill completed his Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston State College. Bill served the USPS for 40 years - working at Cambridge A Post Office; the South Postal Annex; Boston Logan Airport; Dover, Mass. as acting postmaster; and Northwest Boston/Waltham as Supervisor Manager Tour 1.
He resided in Danvers, Mass., where he lived on Roosevelt Avenue, and then at the top of the hill on Hobart Street. These were the years when Bill raised his family, sharing his love of the outdoors, camping, and hiking - serving as an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 16 of the Boy Scouts of America where he led multiple 50-mile hikes along The Long Trail.
Bill subjected his children to never-ending stories of mail-sorting equipment and postal routes. He also extolled the virtues of hard work, perseverance, humor, and DIY home and auto repairs that were often accompanied by colorful commentary during projects. His training as a drill instructor helped him perfect the vocal tone - and volume - needed during the years of raising his three oft-trouble-making children - though this was a trait those who met him in later years could never imagine.
Bill's soft heart and loving spirit shown through his wry smile and his laugh - and through his selfless actions. From allowing his eldest son to attempt to restore a classic 1965 Ford Mustang in the family's two-car garage to trekking to athletic fields for soccer, baseball or softball, or to far-flung hockey rinks, Bill encouraged his children to pursue their interests without forcing them to perform. He did all of this while creating a home that became a welcome gathering place for his children and their friends as they all grew.
Upon retiring in 2006, Bill moved to Springfield, N.H. where he and his wife, Earlene Vetere, built a home and a beautiful vegetable garden. They raised animals ranging from chickens and ducks to goats and horses. And they enjoyed kayaking and boating on Kolelemook Lake. They found happiness and adventure in retirement, enjoying travel, skiing, and their grandchildren.
In his later years, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. As tremors progressed, Bill was determined to remain active, involved, and engaged with his family, his friends, his church, and his new hometown in New Hampshire.
In 2011, Bill became a convert to Catholicism, joining Our Lady of Fatima parish. And in 2020, he and Earlene moved to Loudon, Tenn. and became members of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut.
Bill found comfort in the routine most of us overlook. He found joy in the analog. Bill never owned a smartphone, he did not text and he did not email. For Bill, the daily moments of happiness were simple - sharing breakfast with his wife and best friend; calls, visits, and conversations with his children and grandchildren; sending and receiving greeting cards marking birthdays, holidays and life's milestones; knowing what gas station in town had the best price of gas so his kids could fill up before driving home after a visit; offering help to friends and family; giving of his time, his labor, and his money; enjoying a walk, a simple cup of morning coffee, an end-of-day beer, and a hug that reminded you of his love and support in a single, simple squeeze.
While family and friends will miss his laughter, his stories, his well-worn "Dad jokes," his smile, and his legendary hugs - Bill will live on in the examples of love, caring, community, and perseverance he lived.
Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of more than 12 years, Earlene Vetere. He lives on through his three children, William "Bill" E. Cooper III and his wife Alicia Porter; Jonathan Cooper and his partner Lauren DeGeorge; and Sarah Jean Hollett and her partner Mike Jones; as well as William III's children, Benjamin Cooper , Emily Cooper, Isabelle Cooper; Jonathan's children, James Cooper and Olivia Cooper, and his ex-wife Nikki Cooper; and Sarah's children, Cooper Hollett, Eliza Hollett, and Max Hollett, and her ex-husband Stephen Hollett. Bill Jr. is also survived by his second wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Cooper.
Additionally, Bill is survived by Earlene's children Darlene Vetere, Garrett Vetere, and Christopher Vetere, as well as Darlene's children Adriana Noblitt and John Noblitt; and Garrett's children, Dylan Vetere, Benjamin Vetere, and Joshua Vetere. Bill Jr. was predeceased by Earlene's daughter, Juliana Vetere.
In the months before Bill's passing he was cared for by the dedicated staff at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans' Home. His family is grateful for the care and compassion of the Ben Atchley staff.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, March 20 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Faragot, Tenn. Click Funeral Home, 109 Walnut Street, Lenoir City, Tenn. is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes (TSVH Knoxville) by visiting tsvh.org/donate; or to International Justice Mission, P.O. Box 96961, Washington, D.C. 20090-6961; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675. Bill's family asks that you honor Bill's memory by helping a neighbor, going outside and enjoying nature, calling a friend or writing them a letter, telling a "Dad" joke, and giving more hugs to those you love.
Born in Everett, Mass. on October 14, 1947 to the late William E. Cooper and Myrtle Murray Cooper, Bill grew up in the Glendale Square area of Everett where he and his family were actively involved in the Glendale Methodist Church. As Bill Sr. was a thirty-third degree Mason, Bill Jr. was active in the Order of DeMolay where he was a DeMolay Past Master Councilor (PMC), Everett Chapter DeMolay.
Bill was predeceased by his wife, Suzanne H. (Teal) Cooper; parents, William E. Cooper and Myrtle Murray Cooper; grandparents, Edward and Jesse Cooper, and Duncan and Ida Murray; his aunts, Hazel Murray and Stella Murray; his uncle Ernest Murray and his wife, Jean Murray.
Bill graduated from Everett High School in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in September 1966 - deploying to Vietnam in December 1967. He was wounded in Vietnam, receiving the Purple Heart for injuries sustained in combat. Upon returning stateside, Bill served as a Drill Sergeant at Fort Campbell in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While Bill served in the Army, he married his wife, Suzanne H. (Teal) Cooper.
Following his military service, Bill joined the Post Office Department - the forerunner of the United States Postal Service - in 1970. While working, Bill completed his Bachelor of Science Degree from Boston State College. Bill served the USPS for 40 years - working at Cambridge A Post Office; the South Postal Annex; Boston Logan Airport; Dover, Mass. as acting postmaster; and Northwest Boston/Waltham as Supervisor Manager Tour 1.
He resided in Danvers, Mass., where he lived on Roosevelt Avenue, and then at the top of the hill on Hobart Street. These were the years when Bill raised his family, sharing his love of the outdoors, camping, and hiking - serving as an assistant scoutmaster for Troop 16 of the Boy Scouts of America where he led multiple 50-mile hikes along The Long Trail.
Bill subjected his children to never-ending stories of mail-sorting equipment and postal routes. He also extolled the virtues of hard work, perseverance, humor, and DIY home and auto repairs that were often accompanied by colorful commentary during projects. His training as a drill instructor helped him perfect the vocal tone - and volume - needed during the years of raising his three oft-trouble-making children - though this was a trait those who met him in later years could never imagine.
Bill's soft heart and loving spirit shown through his wry smile and his laugh - and through his selfless actions. From allowing his eldest son to attempt to restore a classic 1965 Ford Mustang in the family's two-car garage to trekking to athletic fields for soccer, baseball or softball, or to far-flung hockey rinks, Bill encouraged his children to pursue their interests without forcing them to perform. He did all of this while creating a home that became a welcome gathering place for his children and their friends as they all grew.
Upon retiring in 2006, Bill moved to Springfield, N.H. where he and his wife, Earlene Vetere, built a home and a beautiful vegetable garden. They raised animals ranging from chickens and ducks to goats and horses. And they enjoyed kayaking and boating on Kolelemook Lake. They found happiness and adventure in retirement, enjoying travel, skiing, and their grandchildren.
In his later years, Bill was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease. As tremors progressed, Bill was determined to remain active, involved, and engaged with his family, his friends, his church, and his new hometown in New Hampshire.
In 2011, Bill became a convert to Catholicism, joining Our Lady of Fatima parish. And in 2020, he and Earlene moved to Loudon, Tenn. and became members of St. John Neumann Parish in Farragut.
Bill found comfort in the routine most of us overlook. He found joy in the analog. Bill never owned a smartphone, he did not text and he did not email. For Bill, the daily moments of happiness were simple - sharing breakfast with his wife and best friend; calls, visits, and conversations with his children and grandchildren; sending and receiving greeting cards marking birthdays, holidays and life's milestones; knowing what gas station in town had the best price of gas so his kids could fill up before driving home after a visit; offering help to friends and family; giving of his time, his labor, and his money; enjoying a walk, a simple cup of morning coffee, an end-of-day beer, and a hug that reminded you of his love and support in a single, simple squeeze.
While family and friends will miss his laughter, his stories, his well-worn "Dad jokes," his smile, and his legendary hugs - Bill will live on in the examples of love, caring, community, and perseverance he lived.
Bill is survived by his loving and devoted wife of more than 12 years, Earlene Vetere. He lives on through his three children, William "Bill" E. Cooper III and his wife Alicia Porter; Jonathan Cooper and his partner Lauren DeGeorge; and Sarah Jean Hollett and her partner Mike Jones; as well as William III's children, Benjamin Cooper , Emily Cooper, Isabelle Cooper; Jonathan's children, James Cooper and Olivia Cooper, and his ex-wife Nikki Cooper; and Sarah's children, Cooper Hollett, Eliza Hollett, and Max Hollett, and her ex-husband Stephen Hollett. Bill Jr. is also survived by his second wife, Elizabeth "Betty" Cooper.
Additionally, Bill is survived by Earlene's children Darlene Vetere, Garrett Vetere, and Christopher Vetere, as well as Darlene's children Adriana Noblitt and John Noblitt; and Garrett's children, Dylan Vetere, Benjamin Vetere, and Joshua Vetere. Bill Jr. was predeceased by Earlene's daughter, Juliana Vetere.
In the months before Bill's passing he was cared for by the dedicated staff at the Ben Atchley Tennessee State Veterans' Home. His family is grateful for the care and compassion of the Ben Atchley staff.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Friday, March 20 at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Faragot, Tenn. Click Funeral Home, 109 Walnut Street, Lenoir City, Tenn. is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill's name to the Tennessee State Veterans' Homes (TSVH Knoxville) by visiting tsvh.org/donate; or to International Justice Mission, P.O. Box 96961, Washington, D.C. 20090-6961; or to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675. Bill's family asks that you honor Bill's memory by helping a neighbor, going outside and enjoying nature, calling a friend or writing them a letter, telling a "Dad" joke, and giving more hugs to those you love.
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