William (Bill) Coker

Mr. Coker was born July 22, 1920. He was the son of the late Alga Harbin Coker and Cora Kate Kennedy Coker. He was also preceded in death by two brothers Kennedy Coker, and Fred Coker; five sisters, Ophelia Chesnut, Katherine Payne, Pauline Hicks, Louise Pearce and Bessie Allen; one daughter, Jane Kathryn McEver, and his wife Marguerite Kathryn Mann Coker who passed away in 2008 to whom he was married on January 10, 1942. They were married for 66 years.

Mr. Coker attended Central Primary and Neely Jr. High in Rome, and then graduated from Rome High School in 1937. He volunteered and entered in to the U. S. Navy in June of 1942. He served his country during WWII on the Troop Ship SS Santa Monica. In 1940, 41 and 42 he served as Staff Sargent over Platoon under the command of Col. Cooper, Georgia State Defense Corps. He started working for General Electric in April of 1953 and retired in January of 1983. He served with the Knights of Columbus as a 4th Degree and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church for over 30 years. He served as president of the GE Retiree’s Club for 20 years and as a Treasurer for 4 years and Board Member for GEAA.

Survivors include two daughters; Mary Anne Coker Girard and her husband Rob of Norcross, GA, and Laurelyn Kate Coker Niebuhr and her husband George of Ft. Mill, S.C.; Grandchildren, Christie Niebuhr Munnelly and her husband Matt, Collin William Niebuhr and his wife Janell, Robert Joseph Girard, III and his wife Sally,Robert Lee Cain II and his wife Gemma, and Mary Jane McEver; 14 great grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews also survive.

A family Rosary was held at 1:00 pm at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Wednesday, December 21, 2016 followed by a visitation from 1:30 until 2 pm. A funeral mass was held at 2 pm with Father Rafael Carballo officiating. Interment followed at Myrtle Hill Cemetery. A reception was held at St. Mary’s following the interment.

In lieu of lowers the family respectfully requests memorial contributions to be made to your favorite charity.

The American Legion Shanklin-Attaway Post 5 will provide military honors.

Daniel’s Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.