Although Bill was a quiet and soft-spoken man, he always made sure his children felt comfortable talking with him about anything and everything. His daughter Kristen feels that he gave them one on one time and attention and they never doubted his love and interest in their words.  
 
Patti shares that Bill really loved the many vacations they had the opportunity to take with family and friends. From the two trips to the Netherlands with Joyce and Jim to see their friends Rob and Yvonne, trips they took to Arizona with them, and then visiting more than nine national Parks with Bill’s Brother and sister-in-law Larry and Nadine. There were Cook family vacations where they came in deep and took over the resorts. They were affectionately referred to as the Cook Village. These are memories that Patti and Bill had over their 43 years of marriage that will be cherished for a lifetime.  
 
The grandkids will never forget Bill’s warm and welcome nature, and how much he loved them all. On one of the family vacations to Hawaii, Bill happily lugged volcanic rock from the beach to the car, then up an embankment to help his grandkids spell out the “Team Cook 19” message on the Big Island. They hope it is still there.   
 


Bill was a creature of habit. For over 30 years he would go to the Y to exercise, swim or lift weights. His daily breakfast was cereal and a banana, even though the type of cereal and number of bowls he had may have changed, the rest remained the same. Don’t bother to try and speak to him during any sports games as his ignoring game was very strong. He enjoyed playing golf with neighbors from Scenic Lake and would always get a tee time set when his son Jon was in town.  
 
Larry remembers a time when they were young and Bill home feeling sick. Larry was trying to be thoughtful and made him some tomato soup, or at least he tried. He made it with water as the can instructed, but that wasn’t how their mom made it since she used milk and Bill said this is just not the same.  
 
Larry also remembers that in their younger years, Bill told Larry he was going to take him to the “Driving Range” to teach him how to “Drive.” Larry thought it was for driving a car, but it seemed to be golf instead. He also attempted to help Larry learn golf once at Westin in Florida where Bill ended up telling Larry that he would make a better caddy than a golfer.  
 
Bill’s daughter Stephenie says that her dad never said a bad word about anyone, ever. That he taught her how to put a worm on a hook and catch a fish. That you won’t know if you don’t ask, and that the 5 second rule always applies. She told him once that he had the whitest legs of anyone she had ever seen and referred to him as having a “moon tan” which he didn’t particularly find amusing.  


Bill and Patti built a house in Perry which was their first home. He constructed a birdhouse and swing set in their backyard and always kept himself busy with the yard work and upkeep. He almost lost his ear on that birdhouse trying to catch Kristen’s fly ball but always made time to shoot hoops in the driveway with the kids. He taught his children how to drive a stick shift and used his knowledge from working at GM to teach them how to do minor maintenance and car repairs.  
 
Bill loved watching sports. He maintained loyalty even through all the losses for the Lions, the Tigers and always rooted on the Spartans. His son Michael shared a few memories about his love of sports. Christmas 1982 Bill bought himself and Michael Detroit Lions tickets and they went to a game in the Pontiac Silverdome in January. It was Michael’s first and only in person Detroit Lions football game and he remembers sitting in the end zone seats watching them with his Dad by his side. The amazing part was the Lions won that day and they couldn't stop talking about it all the way home.  On Saturday Aug 20th he was able to facetime with his dad. Obviously at the time he didn't realize it would be the last time he talked to him. They talked about how the Lions had just won their preseason football game which was amazing since it was their first preseason win since 2018. He immediately said the Tigers won the same day. His Dad, being the Spartan fan he is, also watched a replay of last year’s Spartan and Wolverine football game where the Spartans won. Michael was quick to point out the loss was THE only loss Michigan had that year going on to the College football playoffs. They then joked about how that day Saturday Aug 20th was the "Trifecta" for all his teams (even though the Spartan/Wolverine game was a replay). Michael saw the excitement and joy Bill had on his face and it made him so happy. This was his last memory with his dad, and it is a great one that will stay with him always.   


Friends of Bill’s have said that he always made you feel welcome, as if you are part of the family and that no one is a stranger. He always gave people a sense of belonging with his kind eyes and open heart, you would never forget his smile and it could touch your soul. 
 
Patti fondly remembers that during one of their first get togethers, with all of their children, Bill went and picked up Mr. Taco, 25 tacos for everyone to enjoy, and by the end of the meal the green shag carpet was covered in taco fixings. Patti and Bill looked at one another, surrounded by their five children, ranging in ages from 2 to 12, and said this is what our life is now.  
 
Apparently, Bill had a van in his early years that was quite fun for all of the children to take family trips in, the shag carpet theme continued throughout that van and the family watched drive in movies with the back open and it even helped win Patti’s heart by going to pick up her stolen bike once it was found.  
 
Patti says that Bill was an amazing Polka dancer. He loved to Polka and that he and Patti would randomly dance in the kitchen to all different music throughout their years together.  Bill enjoyed listening to Patsy Cline, the Glen Miller Band and every song from the Rocky Horror Picture Show.  


A great high school friend.  Walking into the Everett cafeteria one day in junior year,  Bill looked over at a group of us, raised two fingers and said “Bwana”.  I asked what that meant and he said “I have no idea, it just came out”.  We had a good laugh and it became our groups hello and goodbye until we all enlisted in 1968, drifted apart.

Thanks for the memories Bill!  Bwana!!

Duane Bazzett

Dear Patti & family,

We are  so very sorry to learn of Bill's passing.

 We remember him as a warm, kind man with a wonderful sense of humor.

Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.

Sending much love to you during this difficult time.

Love,
Paul & JoAnn

Patti We have such a heavy heart right now but we can still look back on all the fall vacations the 4 of us did thruout  the years starting in 1995. We are expecially glad to have done Maine in 2019 before Bill started getting bad. We 4 went to some great states & wonderful parks. The vacation reunion's with all the family were some of the best  as everyone was spread out over the country. Lots of great memories of our crazy times together. All our love to you & the kids Larry & Nadine

Sorry for your loss.
Bill was the kindest, most gentle person. His children were blessed with such a loving father !
R.I.P Bill, God Bless !

I’m so sorry to hear of Bill’s passing.  I will always remember him as a kind and gentle man.  Patti, you are in my thoughts and heartfelt sympathy goes out to you and your family

OBITUARY

William "Bill" Gene Cook

10 May, 1945 – 22 August, 2022

Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes

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