Photo courtesy of Moore Funeral Service - Petal
Sep 14, 1930 - May 11, 2016 (Age 85)
My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Cooley's (Bill's) family. I grew up in the same community with Bill and worked with him at my home High School for four years. He will be missed. He loved all sports and was one of the very best History teachers. My dad so enjoyed having him for a Sunday School teacher. He is now free of pain and rejoicing with other loved ones.
Mollie Jo Hinton
May 15, 2016 | Petal, MS
Mr. Cooley was principal when I was in High School at Runnelstown MS. He and is family became friends with my Family. But that didn't mean we got away with anything. was in is office a few times. but he was kind and would talk to you about what happened a lot just got a warning but not all. I will miss running in to him in petal. May he rest in peace will keep family in my prayers.
Tonya Masters
May 14, 2016 | Runnelstown, MS
So very sorry to hear of this prayers for all the family! !
johnny and mattie morris
May 14, 2016 | Petal, MS
Sorry to hear of your loss wifi be praying for the family.
Betty Clark
May 14, 2016 | Leakesville, MS
Remembered By
Wyman Bradley
May 13, 2016 | Buckatunna, MS
Remembered By
Linda Bradley
May 13, 2016 | Buckatunna, MS
Was a man that served as principle at Buckatunna during my high school years, 1970-74. He was tough but fair, I didn't have him in any classes, but I learned a lot by his example. He could swing a paddle with the best of them, REST in PEACE "Smoking Bill".
Michael "Tim" Howse
May 13, 2016 | Meridian, MS
Was principal in
Buckatunna
Ms in 1974 when
I graduated. He was always kind to me. Your family will be in my prayers.
May 13, 2016
William O. Cooley brought disciple, excellence and stability to the Buckatunna Mississippi School district. It's a tiny south eastern MS town. He was tough, expected no less than ones very best and got it. His humor and off the cuff remarks were widely known as much as his stern leadership for those either dumb enough to defy his rules or smart enough to do as required. With his leadership we approached the racial desegregation head on and replaced tension with equality, high self esteem...
Rick Howse
May 13, 2016 | Buckatunna, MS
William Otha "Bill" Cooley, Jr., 85, died Wednesday, May 11, 2016 at the Bedford Care facility in Petal. Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, May 15, 2016 at the Petal Chapel of Moore Funeral Home with interment in the Benny Hensarling Cemetery.Mr. Cooley was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bertha Cooley and a sister, Connie Waltman. He was a member of Crestview Baptist Church. He was a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a Master's Degree in Education and was an avid USM sports fan. He retired from education after forty years of being a principle, teacher and coach, thirty of those years in Mississippi and ten years in Texas. He served his Country by enlisting in the U. S. Air Force and served during the Korean Conflict.Mr. Cooley is survived by his wife of fifty-three years, Joyce Cooley of Petal; two sons, Craig Cooley and Chris Cooley, both of Petal; a daughter, Kim (Donald) LaBove of Petal; two brothers, Jimmy (Norma) Cooley of Mobile, AL, Jack (Mary) Cooley of Hattiesburg; three sisters, Ruthie Furman, Sarah Bryant, and Ann (Benny Joe) Breland, all of Petal; five grandchildren, Ashley (Manuel) Henderson of Piave, MS, Kayla LaBove and Tristan LaBove, both of Petal, Logan Cooley and Landry Cooley, both of Bozeman, MT; four great-grandchildren, Cartiae Henderson, Alexis Henderson, and Hadley Henderson, all of Piave, MS, and Khloe Beasley of Petal.Visitation for Mr. Cooley will be 5:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Saturday, May 14, 2016 at the Petal Chapel of Moore Funeral Home.
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