William A Cook

William A. Cook, Jr. (Bill) (71) of Pilot Mountain, NC quietly passed away on December 19, 2018 after a strong battle with lymphoma. He was born on December 15, 1947 in Vandergrift, PA. to William A. Cook, Sr. and Vivian Gail McKeever.

He graduated from Kiski Area High School of Vandergrift, PA in 1965. Joining the Air Force in 1967, he served nineteen months at Tuy Hoa, Vietnam. While in the military, he earned his Associate Degree in Hospitality from the Community College of the Air Force in 1987 and his Bachelor’s Degree in Vocational Education from Southern Illinois University in 1988. His greatest love was softball and was active as a player, coach, and umpire. In 1977 he was awarded “Outstanding Coach” with the Hickam Flyers, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Again in 1981 he was “Coach of the Year” at McGuire Air Force Base. Upon retiring from the Air Force, he entered the Federal Civil Service System where he served as lodging manager at Fort Dix, NJ for seventeen years and four years as lodging manager at Chievres AB, Belgium.

The Department of the Army recognized him in 2002 as the outstanding “Chief of Lodging” which encompassed all worldwide Army bases. Since retiring to Pilot Mountain, he has been involved with the VFW Post #9436 as quartermaster and honor guard. He also volunteered his time as score and clock keeper at Calvary Christian School in King, NC. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church in King, NC. He belonged to the American Legion and the Disabled American Veterans.

He is survived by his wife Diane M. Cook (nee Ednie) of forty-eight years; his two daughters, Cara Cook Sonnier of Washington, D.C. and Caryn M. Cook of Raleigh, NC.; his three grandchildren; Hannah Sonnier, Emma Sonnier, and Malachi William Cook. He also is survived by his sister, Marla D. Hutchinson (Robert) of Vandergrift, PA. and three nephews.

He is predeceased by his parents William A. Cook, Sr. and Vivian G. McKeever.

Visitation will be at Calvary Baptist Church, King. NC from 6:00 – 8:00 pm on Friday, December 21, 2018.  Services will be held at Calvary Baptist Church at 10:00 am on Saturday, December 22, 2018 with Pastor Kevin Broyhill officiating.

Additional services will be held at Dunmire-Kerr-Rowe Funeral Home at 224 Franklin Avenue, Vandergrift, PA. Interment will be at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, Lower Burrell, PA.

 In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be sent to VFW Post #9436, 124 Veterans Drive, Pilot Mountain, NC  27041 or Calvary Christian School, 748 Spainhour Road, King, NC  27021 for the sports program

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