Woodrow Cooper

Canton-Woodrow Warren "Bill" Cooper, age 83, of 6 Mountain View Drive, Canton, NC, died Wednesday, December 22, 2004 at Haywood Regional Medical Center. Mr. Cooper was born in Rockwood, Tennessee, and was the son of the late Joseph M. and Maude Earley Cooper, and was also preceded in death by his 5 brothers and 2 sisters. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Canton for 67 years. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Pauline Saunders Cooper, his daughters Marsha Cooper Furness and Yvonne Cooper McGee and his sons-in-law; Jim Furness and Walter McGee. He has 7 grandchildren, 4 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was inducted into the armed services in 1940 with the 30th signal company in the N. C. National Guard, at Fort Jackson, S.C., with the rank of Sergeant. He was accepted into officer candidate school in 1942, graduating with the rank of 2nd Lieutenant. He then received orders to go to England and was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and was assigned to 1038 Signal Company, First Allied Airborne Army. Mr. Cooper survived a plane crash at Botwood, Newfoundland in 1942, and later transferred to Trinidad and on to Natal, Brazil. Bill arrived back in the U. S. in December 1945. Bill and four of his brothers were called to fight in World War II and all five returned safely home when the war was over. In July 1947, the 30th Signal Company was reorganized and Mr. Cooper served as the commanding officer for 5 years. He then was discharged in 1952 with the rank of Captain in the U. S. Army. After being discharged, Mr. Cooper returned to work at Champion International and retired with 32 years of service. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 27, 2004 at Canton First Baptist Church. Reverend Dr. Jack B. Sammons will officiate. Burial will follow at Crawford/Ray Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 12:30 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. in the church fellowship hall prior to the service.

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