William A. Cook, Jr., 85, of Reidsville, NC died peacefully at Gibson House on Friday, February 7, 2025, following a lengthy illness.
Born on October 10, 1939, in Hickory, NC, to William Andrew Cook and Thelma Frye Cook, “Bill” was the middle of three children. Bill graduated from Hickory High School, from Western Carolina with a B.S. in Education, and from William & Mary with a M.A. in Education. Bill started his career as an Industrial Arts teacher in Portsmouth, VA, and served in various management positions in the furniture industry, including at Hickory Chair Company and Hickory Business Furniture.
Bill was a lucky man in winning the heart of his beloved, Judy Combs, after inviting her to a Shipwreck fraternity dance at Western Carolina. They married in August of 1962 and enjoyed sixty-two years of marriage. Bill was a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, a long-time, active member of Viewmont Baptist Church in Hickory, NC and Camp Springs Community Church in Caswell County. He volunteered with the American Red Cross and YMCA of Rockingham Country and with the Prison Ministry at Orange County Correctional Facility in Hillsborough. He enjoyed spending time and traveling with family and friends.
Bill was the proud father of two children – William Andrew Cook, III (Traci) of Raleigh, NC and Sarah Cook Foley (Joe) of Falls Church, VA, but his true pride and joy were his four grandchildren – Will and Anna Cook of Raleigh, NC, Grace Foley of Boston, MA, and Cullen Foley of Alexandria, VA. Bill is survived by his siblings, sister Patricia “Pat” Parker (John) of Newport News, VA, and brother Robert “Bob” Cook (Kathy) of Statesville, NC, as well as nieces Andrea Basham, Jennifer Riney (Will), Sherron Rickabaugh (Greg), and their children.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother-in-law Jerry Prescott, and nephew Eric Prescott.
Donations may be made in Bill’s memory to Camp Springs Community Church 9168 Cherry Grove Rd, Reidsville, NC 27320 and to Gibson House Ancora Compassionate Care, formerly Hospice of Rockingham County P.O. Box 281, Wentworth, NC 27375.
Citty Funeral Home is assisting the Cook family
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