William Cook

William Cook was born May 14, 1925 in Sumter County, South Carolina to the late
Austin and Carrie L. (Jackson) Cook. He was the eighth of fifteen children born
into this union. All of his siblings except his younger sister preceded him in death.

William was raised in a Christian home and accepted Christ at an early age.
During his early lift, he was baptized at the Mechanicsville Methodist Church in
Bishopville, South Carolina.

Early on, William envisioned a life other than farming. He left South Carolina and
joined the United States Marine Corp (Montford Point). His tour of duty took him
to lwo Jima, Okinawa and Saipan. He achieved the rank of corporal and received
an honorable discharge in 1946.

After the war ended, William moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1946 and joined St.
Stephen A. M.E Church where he was a faithful member until his passing. He
served as president of the Men's Club and served on Usher Board No. 2. He was
also recognized as a St. Stephen Bridge Builder and received an award for his
service to the church community. William joined the Retirees Club and enjoyed
their fellowship.

William was employed for more than 50 years with the Chrysler Corp. Trenton
Engine Plant, retiring in 1999. He regularly attended retiree union meetings at
his local. He enjoyed gardening, going to Eastern Market, and playing a fierce
game of bid whist.

A distinguished event occurred recently in William's life in which he never
imagined. William was one of the first Black marines to serve at Montford Point
(then segregated). Thus in 2011, he was among approximately 400 living Black
Marines awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their service in World
War II. Although illness prevented him from attending the official ceremony in
Washington, D. C. in July 2012, he was able to attend the local ceremony in
Detroit in September 2012. He was thrilled beyond words.

William married Ruby Lee Cosper in October, 1974. The two shared a very
special bond for 33 years until her passing in 2007.

William had a very strong sense of family and had many lifelong friends. He
proudly served as president of the Cook - Mickens - Cabbagestalk Family
Reunion's Detroit Chapter and attended all 35+ reunions until his illness
prevented him from attending in 2012. William loved being involved with the
Montford Point Marine League. He cherished the fellowship of their friendships.

William leaves to celebrate his life his daughter, Adris (Penny) Greenway, a
grandson, Adarus, Sr., great grandsons, Adarus, Jr. and Amonyae; a stepson,
Jackie Cosper, his sister, Mae Ruth Cooke of Sumter, South Carolina, sisters-in-law,
Genevieve Cook of Sumter, South Carolina, Delores, Enetta and Hazel
Cosper; a nephew, Seth (Sarah) Cook, and nieces, Dorothea Cook Bryant (Moses),
Marcia Cook Sanders (Isaac), a grand-niece, Winnifred Vaughn and a host of
other nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.