James William Cook Jr.

James William (Bill)

(Age 92)

James W. (Bill) Cook passed away peacefully on January 23, 2016 in the Spokane Valley. Bill was born in Mansfield, Washington on April 18, 1923 and was the oldest of twelve children born to James W. and Leah G. Cook.

Bill joined the Army in 1943 and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. When he got out of the Army in 1946 he built a house in the Spokane Valley and started working at Kaiser Aluminum Trentwood in the Re-melt department. He worked at Kaiser for over 35 years. He was a member of the United Steelworkers of America 338 union.

Most important to Bill was his family. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. He always looked out for the welfare of others before his own. He had a quick smile and a keen sense of humor.

Bill is survived by his wife of 23 years, Kay Cook, at the home, two brothers: Dan (Betty) Cook, Gary (Betty) Cook, two sisters: Doris Woods and Pat Schneider, sons Bill (Doris) Cook of St Louis, MO and Richard (Linda) Cook, stepson Bruce (Sheryl) Jackson, stepdaughters Gina (Troy) Coyne and Hatsumi Kyan, Okinawa, Japan. He has 13 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and 2 great-great grandchildren. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers, Jeff, Ed, Glen, and John and sisters, Helen Hobbs, Lillian Cox, and Jean Swanson; and first wife Margaret and second wife Donna.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Society or the American Cancer Society.

A Memorial Service will be held Sat., Jan. 30, 2016, 1:00pm at Thornhill Valley Chapel 1400 S. Pines Rd., Spokane Valley, WA