Obituary of Wilbur Cooper

Wilbur Hiram "Bill" Cooper Jr. April 27, 1934 - June 8, 2013 Wilbur Hiram Cooper Jr. was born in Monroe, Michigan on April 27, 1934. He was the son of the late Wilbur H. Cooper Sr. and the late Loretta C. (Bomia) Cooper. Wilbur loved the outdoors. He enjoyed long nature walks, spending time fishing, squirrel hunting, and rifle shooting. Although, Wilbur was dyslexic and had very little formal education, he had a gift for working with his hands. Wilbur had the uncanny ability to disassemble and reassemble an entire engine by himself. For many years, Wilbur was employed by Snow's Nursery. He worked in maintenance and as a laborer retiring in 1995. He was a member of Association for the Advancement of Retired Persons (AARP) and Parents Without Partners. Wilbur H. Cooper Jr. age 79 of Monroe passed away at 10:35pm, Saturday, June 8, 2013 at MagnumCare of Monroe. He had been under the care of Mercy Memorial Hospice of Monroe. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by two sisters: Jeannetta Williams in 1998, Mary Alice Osgood in 2010; a son: Gary Cooper in 2002; a step daughter: Diana Brown in 2011; and a step grandson: Brian. To cherish his memory he leaves two daughters: Deborah (Herbert) Larson of Killeen, Texas and Sandra (Keith) Pulcheon of Monroe; two sons: Wilbur H. Cooper III (Yolanda) of Whittier, California and Todd Cooper of Ridgeland, South Carolina; step daughter: Patty (Danny) Sutton of Hardeeville, South Carolina and a step son-in-law: George Brown of Ridgeland, South Carolina; one sister: Joyce Angeline (Richard) Boberg of Monroe; one brother-in-law: William Osgood of Monroe; three grandchildren; and six step grandchildren. Friends may gather from 2:00pm until 8:00pm, Wednesday, June 12, 2013 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe; 14567 South Dixie Highway (734) 241-7070 (formerly Bennett Funeral Services). A Celebration of His Life will be held at 11:00am, Thursday, June 13, 2013 also at Merkle's with a member of the clergy officiating. Procession will follow to Roselawn Memorial Park in LaSalle for burial. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, make a donation, or send a floral arrangement by visiting www.merklefs.com and then selecting the Online Tributes page.