William L. Cooper

William L. Cooper, M.D. was born of humble beginnings in LaGrange, Ga. He was the oldest of six children two living, sister Sally Ball of Muskegon Mi, and brother Rev. Jim Cooper of Danville, Illinois, had two sons Tom of St. Petersburg, and Ron of Clinton, Connecticut with wife Lisa and one grandson, Jaxson and a loving and faithful wife of 36 years, Bonnie. His dream of having a close immediate family was one of his dearest desires in life. As a father he was both a mentor and leader by example. As a child he moved with his family to Muskegon, Michigan where he developed earnest and noble dreams of being a doctor by grade seven. He was an avid reader and had an appetite and thirst for knowledge. It was apparent to all that he was a student of learning. Even until his eventual loss of eyesight he was a veracious daily reader of medical journals as well as newspapers and magazines. Upon graduating Muskegon High School, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his Medical Degree from Wayne State University. Dr. Cooper did his Surgical Residency at Grace Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. Following active service as an assistant surgeon in the U.S. Navy Commission of Lieutenant Junior Grade he established and maintained a private practice, performed general surgery, did emergency room tours and even house calls in the Coloma/St. Joseph, Michigan area for 25 years. Dr. Cooper furthered his service to his country by completing his career with another 25 years at the Bay Pines VA Hospital, specializing in internal medicine and cardiology, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Dr. Cooper will be known both for his compassion, thoroughness and skill both in the diagnostic and treatment realms of his loved profession. Dr. Cooper was an outdoor sports enthusiast, enjoying traveling, boating, scuba diving, snow skiing and hunting while still appreciating the finer details in life, that of capturing all the beauty that life has to offer either by raising orchids, photography or taking time to enjoy sunrise and sunset off his Tampa Bay dock. He was the ultimate fisherman who cared more about the journey and process of the trip and less about the catch. His triple riggers and red flannel will be remembered by all who ever fished along side him. To his friends, Dr. Cooper was a loyal and faithful companion. He treasured both life and people with a tenacious zest. Dr. Cooper never met a stranger and always took the time to humanize everyone, whether by magically knowing everyone's name or taking the time to help someone in need. Ever the optimist, seeing a glass half full or the beauty that lay beyond a dirty window, Dr. Cooper never complained about what life threw at him. His outgoing personality and jovial sense of humor managed to carry him through most of the challenges he encountered. His work ethic of always performing any task as best possible was a trait for all to envy. To the end he was a tenacious fighter of ideals, principles and of the essence of life. He will surely be missed by his family, friends, neighbors, profession and those that knew him. A Funeral Service will be held at 2:00pm on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at North East Park Baptist Church, 3737 1st St. NE, St. Petersburg, FL. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Hospice of the Florida Suncoast, 5771 Roosevelt Blvd. Clearwater, FL 33760.