William J. “Cookie” Cook, Sr., 85, of Center Township, passed away Wednesday morning, November 6, 2013, at his residence, after surviving three bouts of cancer before succumbing to lymphoma.

Born April 14, 1928 in Pittsburgh, he was the last surviving child of Harry F. Sr. and Amanda J. Cook. A proud member of the US Army, Cookie served as a staff sergeant during the Korean War and was a resident of Center Township since the mid-1940’s. A member of U.S.W Local, 8183 he found employment at St. Joe Lead, Potter Township, retiring after 33 years of service, before being asked to return to the same plant for a couple of years by the new owner, Horsehead Corp. Cookie was a member of the Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, the Korean War Veteran’s Association in Pittsburgh and, since 1975, Center Township VFW. While his children were growing up, he was a manager of Center Township Little League Baseball. In addition to gardening, canning which he shared with family and friends, making sauerkraut and pickles, Cookie enjoyed annual fishing trips to Canada. Mornings were reserved for coffee with his buddies at McDonald’s and afternoons for shopping for the family groceries at Shop N Save.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife of 59 years, Donna R. Thomson Cook to whom he was united in marriage on Oct. 9, 1954 in her hometown of Carnegie. Three children, William J. Cook, Jr. and his wife, Tammy, of Middleburg Heights, OH, Donald R. Cook and his wife, Linda, of Rochester and Pamela Helterbran and her husband, William ‘Bill’, of Beaver Falls; three grandchildren, William T. (Courtney) Cook, David M. Cook and Chelsey L. Cook and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents Bill was preceded in death by two brothers, Harry F. Jr. and Robert B. and a sister, Marie Hollis

Friends will be received Monday, from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Ave., Monaca. Additional visitation will be held Tuesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 a.m. at Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, Monaca. The Reverend Susan Irons will officiate in the absence of his pastor. Interment will follow in the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, Bridgeville at 2:30 pm

In lieu of flowers the family has suggested memorial contributions may be made, if desired, to Lutheran Church of the Redeemer, 819 Washington Avenue, Monaca, PA 15061.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Stewart Lancaster and Dr. Michael Heinle and their staffs along with the I. V. team at group blood transfusion at Heritage Valley Beaver and VITAS Innovative Hospice Care for the compassionate care given to Bill during his illness.

To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.