Bill J. Cooley
January 22, 1928 – March 28, 2018
Bill Cooley, 90, of College Station, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2018 in College Station. A funeral service was held on Friday, March 30, 2018 at Callaway-Jones Funeral and Cremation Centers Bryan-College Station. Interment was in College Station City Cemetery. Life Tribute Services are in the care of Callaway-Jones.
Bill was born in Headrick, OK to Matt and Ida Bell (Mickey) Akins Cooley. His family moved around a lot, from small town to small town, which left Bill with many interesting stories, which he loved to tell his family. They finally settled in College Station, so Bill and his brothers could attend Texas A&M University, which began Bill’s love for the Aggies and the town he would raise his family in.
Once in College Station Bill meet his wife of sixty-eight years, on a blind date that was set up by his Aunt Winkie. The date was at a Bob Wills and Texas Playboys concert in College Station. Shortly after, they married and had two daughters, Gail and Sonya.
He began his married life as a dairy farmer, then pursued self-employment with the purchase of a Conoco gas station on University Drive during the 1950s. He was always eager to help an Aggie with credit for gas or a car repair. He served on the College Station city council for several years and then was elected to serve sixteen years as Brazos County Commissioner for precinct one. He served as a Board Member of the Brazos Valley Development Council from 1974-1983, as a Founding Board Member of the College Station Economic Development Foundation from 1980-1989. He was a member of the Elks Lodge and a lifetime member of the College Station Morning Lion’s Club. Upon an unofficial retirement, he enjoyed raising cattle and managing locally owned apartments and commercial property.
Bill enjoyed taking his family on weekend trips to Mexican border towns in the 1960’s, Texas beaches, and boating on various lakes around Texas. However, his favorite get away was the lake house at Summer Place. He was proud to say he taught both his daughters, granddaughters, and many of their friends how to water ski. He would do this with pleasure, knowing everyone he taught had the ability to succeed if they kept trying. This attitude carried him through all aspects of life.
His parents, Matt and Ida Bell, precede him in death.
Bill is survived by his wife, Frances Cooley; his daughters Gail and husband Chris Barzilla, and Sonya Cooley; his granddaughters Lauren Barzilla and Miranda Barzilla; his brothers Matt and wife Edith Cooley, and Johnny and wife Sue Cooley, along with several nieces and a nephew.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Accel in College Station that took care of Bill for several months and Brazos Valley Hospice for their care the last few weeks. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Brazos Valley Hospice.
Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.
