William Cooper passed away on April 5, 2025 after complications from a surgical procedure.
He was born in Detroit, Michigan on June 16, 1951 to Earl and Helen Cooper. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Civil Engineering from Michigan Technological University and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Boston University. His education also included the Armed Forces Staff College, The Federal Executive Institute, and the United States Army War College.
In 1973, Bill was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army and served as an Infantry and Transportation Corps Officer until 1979 in various locations in the United States and Europe. During his Army career, he achieved the rank of Captain.
From 1979 – 1999, Bill held several positions as a Department of the Army civilian. In January 2000, Bill was selected to the Army Senior Executive Service and appointed as Director, SDDCTEA and the Special Assistant for Transportation Engineering for the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He also served as the U.S. Head of Delegation for NATO’s Planning Board for Inland Surface Transportation.
Bill retired from the Senior Executive Service in March 2007. In April 2015 he and his wife, Sandy, moved to The Villages to enjoy the multitude of activities provided by this community. His favorite pastimes were golfing, “flying” with his flight simulator setup, and enjoying a good cigar and cold beverage on the lanai. He and Sandy were on a bowling league and they cruised often with Royal Caribbean.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Sandra DeMott Cooper; their son, Christopher (who Bill took pride in him being a second generation Army paratrooper) and his wife, Sarah; four grandchildren, Ethan, Carrie, Paige and Joshua; his brother, Gary Cooper of Mattawan, Michigan and his sister, Sue Berger of De Pere, Wisconsin.
He was loved and will be greatly missed.