1926

 Willie “Bill” Cooke was born on 11 Oct 1926 in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA a child of Sammie Cooke and Florence Alexander Cooke.

1930

William Cook was counted in the census on 15 Apr 1930 in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA, as a 4-year-old, male, single, black or African American, son. Also in the home were his father, Sam Cook; his mother, Florence Cook; and his sister, Louise Cook.

1940

Willie Cook was counted in the census on 23 Apr 1940 in De Kalb, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA, as a 13-year-old, male, single, black or African American, son. Also in the home were his father, Sammie Cook; his mother, Florence Cook; and his siblings, Louise Cook, Pete Cook, Sammie Cook, Dorthy Cook, and Ruth Cook.

1950

Willie Cook was counted in the census on 03 Apr 1950 in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA, as a 22-year-old, male, single, black or African American, son. Also in the home were his father, Sammie Cook; his mother, Florence Cook; and his siblings, Pete Cook, Sammie Cook, Jr, Dorthy Cook, Ruth Cook, and Lattie Cook.

2008

On November 29 , 2008, Willie Cooke was mentioned as the living spouse in the obituary of Mrs Virginia Kennedy Cooke.

2025

He died on 06 Nov 2025 in Camden, Kershaw, South Carolina, USA. He was buried on 13 Nov 2025 in Columbia, Richland, South Carolina, USA at Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

Willie “Bill” Cooke Obituary

With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Mr. Willie “Bill” Cooke, a beloved and well respected member of the Camden, South Carolina community, on November 6, 2025. Bill was born on October 11, 1926, in Camden, SC, to the late, Sammie Cooke and Florence Alexander Cooke.

Mr. Cooke joined the United States Army on November 26, 1945 where he honorably served following the end of World War II, until his discharge on April 18, 1947. He was redrafted, serving from October 1950 to September 1951, during the Korean Conflict. After returning to the United States, he received a Bachelor’s Degree from North Carolina A&T, and subsequently taught electrical wiring at Jackson High School.  An accomplished electrician, Mr. Cooke worked for the U.S. Army’s Fort Jackson until his retirement in 1987. He was known for his meticulous work ethic and his uncanny ability to fix any electrical problem thrown his way. Bill loved people watching, spending time with his family and friends, and watching westerns, fishing, hunting, and cooking shows. Bill was not only a fan of television cooking shows, but he was a consummate home “chef” who enjoyed cooking Sunday meals for his family. 

Left to cherish his memories is his daughter, Melissa Lloyd (Reginald) of Elgin, SC; sisters, Ruth Cooke of Norwalk, CT and Lottye Cooke of Camden, SC; grandchildren, Staci Cooke of Charlotte,  NC and William Lloyd of Charleston, SC; a very special cousin, Ronald Cooke, and countless other family members and friends. 

Bill was preceded in death by his late wife, Wilhelmenia “Virginia” Kennedy Cooke; sons, Jerome Butler and Stanley Cooke, and siblings, Peter Cooke, Sammie D. Cooke, Louise Danner, Dorothy Nelson, Barbara Jean and Elizabeth Cooke.

A celebration of life  service will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 12:30 pm at Powers Funeral Home in Lugoff, SC. with burial to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 pm. Viewing will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Rev. Hayward G. Myers, Sr. will be officiating.

Public Viewing

Wednesday, November 12, 2025
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Powers Funeral Home
832 Ridgeway Rd
Lugoff, SC 29078

Funeral Service

Thursday, November 13, 2025
12:30 pm
Powers Funeral Home
832 Ridgeway Rd
Lugoff, SC 29078

Burial

Thursday, November 13, 2025
2:00 pm
Fort Jackson National Cemetery
4170 Percival Rd
Columbia, SC 29229