John William "Bill" Cook

HILDEBRAN John William "Bill" Cook, 93, passed away Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013, at Frye Regional Medical Center, after a brief illness. Bill was born Sept. 29, 1919, in Burke County, to the late James W. and Mary Sigmon Cook. He was a member of Amazing Grace Lutheran Church and was the founding owner of Bill's Repair Shop in Hildebran and served in the U.S. Army Air Corps, during World War II in Italy. In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by his wife, Marie Watts Cook; brother, Ned Cook; sister, Lallage Cobb; brother, James Leon Cook; and stepsister, Ella Cook. Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Benfield and husband, Stewart, of Connelly Springs; son, Barry Cook and wife, Jennie, of Hildebran; two grandsons, Joseph "Buddy" Jacomine, of Hickory and Jeffery Jacomine, of Hickory; three granddaughters, Alice Hicks, of Greensboro, LeAnne Cook-Lynn, of Hildebran and Julie Cook- Walker, of Hildebran; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and sister, Elizabeth McKinney, of Hickory. The family will receive friends Wednesday, Sept. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m., at Hickory Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Wednesday, at 1 p.m., at Hickory Funeral Home Chapel, with the Rev. Ryan Ray officiating. Private entombment will follow, at Burke Memorial Park. Military honors will be conducted by American Legion Post #48. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Amazing Grace Lutheran Church, 4681 Grace Chapel Rd., Granite Falls, NC 28630. Online condolences may be made at www.hickoryfh.com. Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.