Col. Billy R. Cooper USAF (Ret.)

February 12, 1930 - March 1, 2017
Col. Billy R. Cooper USAF (Ret.)

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Billy R. Cooper (USAF Ret.) passed away on March 1, 2017. Born on February 12, 1930 in Crowell, TX to Gordon and Veda Cooper, he graduated from Crowell High School in 1947 and Texas Tech University in 1951. He entered the Air Force in 1952 to serve his country.  A Vietnam veteran who served as an intelligence officer, Billy was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and two Legions of Merit. His tours of duty included Wiesbaden Germany, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and Langley AFB in Hampton, VA. In addition, he served as a Professor of Political Science and Defense Policy at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, CO.  During his military career he received his MA from the University of Maryland and was a Distinguished Graduate of both the USAF Air Command and Staff College and the U.S. Naval War College.

After retirement from the Air Force in 1978, Billy joined the Eastman Kodak Company as the Vice President of Commercial and Government Systems in Rosslyn, VA. His responsibilities included business development in all areas of optics and reconnaissance systems for the Defense Department, NASA and other federal agencies. Billy served as President of the Texas Capitol Hill Breakfast Club, on the Board of Trustees of the National Security Industrial Assoc. and on the Board of Directors of the National Capital Council of the Navy League. He retired from Kodak in 1997.

Billy loved flying his private plane, and was active in the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. He was a leader in the Aviation Explorers of Williamsburg, a scouting group for young people interested in aviation careers. He was also a volunteer tutor with the Literacy for Life program in Williamsburg.  Billy enjoyed playing golf with the Ford’s Colony Men’s Golf Association and traveling. Some of his fondest memories were spending time with friends and family at his vacation home in Duck, NC, cheering on his beloved Redskins and Red Raiders, and attending the sporting events and activities of his five grandchildren, whom he adored.

In addition to his parents, Billy was preceded in death by his brothers, Jamie and Paul Cooper. He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Anne Fairbank Cooper; and his daughters, Mary Johnson and her husband Jeff Johnson, Jr. of Hampton, VA, and Carolyn Mustin and her husband Tom Mustin of Denver, CO. He also leaves to cherish his memory his grandchildren, Jennifer Johnson of Richmond, VA; Katie Johnson and her fiancé Thomas Lawler of Arlington, VA, Tyler Mustin and Will Mustin of Los Angeles, CA, and Hayley Mustin of Austin, TX. In addition, he is survived by his brother Robert Cooper and his wife Shirley of Dallas TX, his sister Mary Bassett of Colleyville, TX, his sister-in-law Dian Cooper of Waxahachie, TX, his brother-in-law Ralph Fairbank Jr. and his wife Bonnie of Alexandria, VA, and many nephews.

The family would like to thank the staff of Patriot’s Colony Convalescent Center for their love, friendship, and caring of Billy and his family while he resided there. A memorial service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m., Saturday March 11, 2017 at Williamsburg United Methodist Church, 500 Jamestown Road, Williamsburg, VA 23185. The family will receive friends Friday March 10, 2017 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Bucktrout Funeral Home, 4124 Ironbound Road, Williamsburg, VA 23188. Memorial donations may be made to Literacy for Life at www.literacyforlife.org or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research at www.michaeljfox.org.  Online condolences may be shared at bucktroutfuneralhome.net.


Memorial

Saturday, March 11, 2017
1:00 PM

Williamsburg United Methodist Church - Directions
500 Jamestown Road
Williamsburg, VA 23188

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  • March 04, 2017
    Buzz Fairbank says:
    I will always remember playing golf with Billy and all his funny jokes even in Glyndon on the 4th of July golf match Can not forget all the Christmas Eves at Grandad's House putting the toys together for the big surprise on Christmas morning

  • March 04, 2017
    Bonnie Fairbank says:
    Billy will always be remembered for all our FUN times we had as a Family. Our children and grandchildren loved him as the best Uncle they could ever have growing up and being with him.

  • March 04, 2017
    John and Gail White says:
    Truly one of the finest men we have ever known. A good neighbor and a great friend.

  • March 04, 2017
    John and Gail White says:
    One of the finest men we have ever known. A good neighbor and a great friend.

  • March 04, 2017
    Ray Thompson says:
    Col. Cooper was elegant, polished, commanding, and funny. Our family struck up a lifelong friendship with Billy, Anne, Mary and Carolyn -- and they are all remarkable people. My mom and dad, Col. & Mrs. Ray Thompson, loved Billy and Anne more than they will ever know. I hope Anne, the girls, and all the family find comfort in knowing they have spent their life in a blessed place -- alongside a treasure of a human being. We love you all. Ray Jr. (aka Bubba) and Jenna Thompson

  • March 04, 2017
    David Williams says:
    I will never forget that wonderful high-pitched laugh of my godfather Billy Cooper. He and Anne were part of my earliest memories in life and were a huge part of my upbringing from the day my parents brought me home to the Air Force Academy 47 plus years ago. I think they were (and are) a wonderful example to my parents who were just starting out on their journey as a military family. There home, where ever it happen to be, was the warmest and most inviting place on the planet for my brother and I. We always looked forward to visiting them and were especially excited about the concept of "spit backs" which was introduced to us by Anne. To the uninitiated, whenever you took a chocolate from a chocolate box and weren't quite sure what was in the chocolate, Anne would let us take a bite before committing to eating the chocolate. If you didn't like it, she encouraged us to just spit it back into the box, hence the name. A very good life lesson about generosity and choice at a very young age from one of the most graceful women I have ever known. I will never forget Billy and his wonderful example of a husband, father, and fine human being. Thank you for being a part of my family's life.

  • March 04, 2017
    Starla Lawrence says:
    Our family was forever bonded with the Cooper family during those wonderful years at the Air Force Academy. I'm so grateful that our paths crossed so deeply and so often, even after my dad Colonel Ray Thompson and Billy were no longer stationed together. My life has been enriched greatly by Billy and Anne and Mary and Carolyn; what laughter we shared and what memories we now cherish. We love you all and our prayers for comfort and peace are with you at this time and always.

  • March 05, 2017
    Linda & Hank Beebe says:
    Dear Anne and family: we are saddened and sorry to learn of Billy's passing. He was a wonderful man and a great boss. My father repeatedly recalled his meeting Billy in Rosslyn. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

  • March 06, 2017
    Donald Williams says:
    We met Billy, Anne, Mary and Carolyn in 1968 at the Air Force Academy and an instant genuine friendship began. Everything was fun when we were doing it with the Coopers. We learned to ski with a tow rope at Copper Mountain, the guys made their golf games last all day, tailgating before a football game froze our toes, and the numerous social functions and dinner parties were a blast. It was obvious that Billy treasured Anne and adored his daughters. He was all about his family. Becoming godparents of our oldest son, David, enhanced our family. Fortunately, subsequent tours included overlaps at Hampton, Va. and D.C. and both our sons, David and Stephen, loved going to their house. Billy would always create some fun way to play with them. When in uniform, no one stood taller than Billy. He was so proud. He loved the Air Force and his country. Billy, your smile, your laugh, your spirit and sincere compassion for life leaves us with irreplaceable memories. Thanks for your service and friendship. Don and Betty Lou Williams

  • March 09, 2017
    Hap and Lore Downes says:
    Dear Anne, Lore and I were very sorry to read that Billy had passed away. He was by far one of the nicest persons that I worked with in the Air Force and, in more recent years , I always enjoyed his company at our semi-annual Retired Intelligence Officers luncheons in Williamsburg. Fond memories are what count the most,

  • March 10, 2017
    Lad Culkowski says:
    Billy was my boss in the Pentagon and I couldn't have worked with and for a nicer gentleman. Our relationship continued after retirement when we both moved to Williamsburg. I will always remember the day Billy called and asked me if I wanted to take a ride in his plane; we flew to the Northern Neck where I was able to take aerial photos of our second home and surrounding area. That's the kind of man he was: giving and thoughtful to and for others. He will be missed. Condolences to Anne and family.

  • March 14, 2017
    Carol an Charlie Moser says:
    We have been neighbors and friends of Anne and Billy for over 16 years and in that time have come to know them and their family and appreciate what a loving and caring couple they were. Billy was a special gentleman, always a smile and a twinkle in his eye and a grandchild story to share. He will be missed and remembered always.

  • April 09, 2017
    Kent Hance says:
    Billy was a great man. I met him while representing the Lubbock area in the US Congress. We immediately became fast friends and always pulled for the Texas Tech Red Raiders. He had a great sense of humor and will be missed by all that knew him.

  • April 11, 2017
    Patti Pyle says:
    As a fellow Texan living in Washington, DC, I met Billy at a Texas Tech Alumni reception the first week I was in Washington. We had Texas friends in common, & he & Anne became friends for the time they lived in the Washington area. We both volunteered for jobs with the Texas State Society & Texas Breakfast Club. With a great sense of humor, he was a friend I will always remember. I send condolences to Anne, Mary & Carolyn.

  • August 07, 2019
    Harold Mills says:
    My heart goes out to Billy's family for their great loss. Billy was my boss in The Pentagon in the 1970s. He was always a gentleman and a talented officer. He took an interest in all those who he supervised. After retirement, he was my boss at Kodak.Glad he led a full life!!!