With a heavy heart, we announce the passing of Mr. Willie “Bill” Cooke, a beloved and well respected member of the Camden, South Carolina community, on November 6, 2025. Bill was born on October 11, 1926, in Camden, SC, to the late, Sammie Cooke and Florence Alexander Cooke.

Mr. Cooke joined the United States Army on November 26, 1945 where he honorably served following the end of World War II, until his discharge on April 18, 1947. He was redrafted, serving from October 1950 to September 1951, during the Korean Conflict. After returning to the United States, he received a Bachelor’s Degree from North Carolina A&T, and subsequently taught electrical wiring at Jackson High School.  An accomplished electrician, Mr. Cooke worked for the U.S. Army’s Fort Jackson until his retirement in 1987. He was known for his meticulous work ethic and his uncanny ability to fix any electrical problem thrown his way. Bill loved people watching, spending time with his family and friends, and watching westerns, fishing, hunting, and cooking shows. Bill was not only a fan of television cooking shows, but he was a consummate home “chef” who enjoyed cooking Sunday meals for his family. 

Left to cherish his memories is his daughter, Melissa Lloyd (Reginald) of Elgin, SC; sisters, Ruth Cooke of Norwalk, CT and Lottye Cooke of Camden, SC; grandchildren, Staci Cooke of Charlotte,  NC and William Lloyd of Charleston, SC; a very special cousin, Ronald Cooke, and countless other family members and friends. 

Bill was preceded in death by his late wife, Wilhelmenia “Virginia” Kennedy Cooke; sons, Jerome Butler and Stanley Cooke, and siblings, Peter Cooke, Sammie D. Cooke, Louise Danner, Dorothy Nelson, Barbara Jean and Elizabeth Cooke.

A celebration of life  service will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 12:30 pm at Powers Funeral Home in Lugoff, SC. with burial to follow at Fort Jackson National Cemetery at 2:00 pm. Viewing will take place from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Wednesday, November 12, 2025 and one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Rev. Hayward G. Myers, Sr. will be officiating.