William COOPER

1942 - 2015

COOPER, William William A. Cooper, 72, of Kennesaw, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, July 15, 2015. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Al and Dorothy Cooper, who moved from California to Cobb County after their retirement. While saddened by his physical absence, Bill's family rejoices in the knowledge that he is present with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Bill was born in Pasadena, California on November 15, 1942. He attended the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!). While at Cal, Bill was a member of the Delta Upsilon fraternity, as well as the ROTC. Upon graduation from Cal in 1964, Bill enlisted in the United States Air Force, where he became an F-4 Phantom fighter pilot during the Vietnam War. He left the Air Force in 1970 and took a job as a pilot with American Airlines. He then moved to Western Airlines and ultimately became a pilot for Delta Airlines. The job with Delta brought him to Cobb County where he resided for the past 27 years. In 1990, despite being a newcomer to Cobb County, the voters elected Bill as the Cobb County Western District Commissioner. Bill became a Captain with Delta while still serving as a commissioner. Bill served as a commissioner until 2000, when he was appointed to be the CEO of the Cobb Chamber of Commerce. He was the CEO of the Cobb Chamber until 2010, when he retired to spend time with his family and friends. During his retirement, Bill began attending the Links Bible Study taught by Pastor Tom Gray at the Marietta Country Club. Participation in this Bible Study transformed his spiritual life and brought him to his saving faith in Jesus Christ. He spoke often of his love and respect for Tom and the members of this Bible Study. Bill is survived by his wife of 31 years, Diane Cooper; his sister, Carole Simpson, her husband Howard and their three children, Jess, Barbara and Lindy; his son Lance and daughter-in-law Sonja, of Powder Springs, Georgia; his daughter Laurie Aitken and son-in-law Darren Aitken, of San Juan Capistrano, California; his son Scott and daughter-in-law Marlo, of Irvine, California; his stepson Bill Cody of San Diego, California; his stepdaughter Denise Cody of Charlotte, North Carolina; his 17 grandchildren (who affectionately know him as their "Grandpa Bill") - Rachel Hebert, married to Michael Hebert, Rebekah, Michelle, Asa, Aaron, Amanda, Christopher, Hannah, Gavin, Grace, Kylee, Colleen, Haley Diane, Cody, Austin, Juliana, Paige, and many friends and colleagues. The memorial funeral service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Methodist Church in Marietta. Dr. Sam Matthews and Rev. Tom Gray will officiate. Memorial donations can be made to the Wellstar Foundation, 805 Sandy Plains Road, Suite 100, Marietta, GA 30066 or online at wellstar.org/foundation. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta will be in charge of the arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com 770-428-1511.