With the love and support of close family and friends he made it through the most difficult of these days, but he missed her terribly. When his beloved wife, Cindy died in 2017, it made for a very difficult time for Bill. He found much satisfaction in his work around the area and especially the work he did at Bronson Hospital. He was also a proud member of the IBEW Local 131 as a union electrician. An electrician by trade, he worked from 1964 until eventually retiring in 2008.

Treasured times were enjoyed by all making memories camping and spending holidays together with special friends.īill took pride in the fact that his wife could remain at home with their family. Most importantly, they raised their family together in love. They took time for one another and spent time with friends enjoying the pleasures of life. True helpmates and partners, they also worked well together in their gardens and making for a well landscaped yard.

Together they enjoyed bowling and their passion for traveling all over the U.S. A match only some dream about, the years were good to them. As a family they enjoyed fond and special trips to Arizona, Tennessee and of course, Cedar Point.Īlways close, Bill and Cindy shared much. He disciplined with love and they were better for it. Bill was a loving but stern father as the kids would test him from time to time, but they never seemed to get away with things. Very active in the lives of his children, Bill loved taking them camping and even helped coach their Rocket football teams. They were blessed with the births of four children, Amy, Greg, Scott, and Brett. It wasn’t long before Bill and Cindy started a family of their own. Deeply in love, Bill married his sweetheart on Apat Zion Lutheran Church in Kalamazoo before a congregation of family and friends. While they met at a local roller-skating rink, she was a new student at Portage High School and the two quickly hit it off. Life forever changed for Bill when he met the love of his life, Cynthia Dinges. Having attended the local schools, he went on to graduate from Portage Central High School with the Class of 1963. His mother worked as a nurse at the Kalamazoo State Hospital to help support their large family. who was affectionately known as “Junior Boy”. One of eight children, Bill was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan and was raised in Portage alongside his seven siblings, Charlotte, Judy, Fran, Barb, Debbie, Robert, and Raymond Jr. Yet for Raymond and Erma (Couturier) Cook, the year brought forth the blessing of new life when on March 10, 1943, they welcomed the birth of their little boy, William into their hearts and home. When Glenn Miller introduced his all-time popular hit, “In the Mood”, it could not have come at a better time to lift the spirits of all amidst the challenges of war. America’s manufacturing industry went from consumer goods to wartime material production as women entered the workforce in droves.

was put into place to support the war effort. He will be dearly missed.īy 1943, World War II was well underway and rationing throughout the U.S. Bill enjoyed the friendships of many and made numerous memories along life’s way. A hard-working man with a strong sense of responsibility, Bill was a good provider and offered a good life for his wife and children. Family was at the very heart of Bill Cook and there wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for those he loved.

Brett walker portage