Dateline: February 15, 2007

W.H. “Bill” Cooke, III, 86, of Amarillo, Texas, died Thursday, February 1, 2007.

Celebration of life services were held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 3, at the mausoleum of Llano Cemetery.

Mr. Cooke was born July 30, 1920, in Clarendon to William Henry Cooke, Jr., and Kitty Fleming Cooke. He attended Clarendon High School and Texas Tech University, then went on to serve honorably in the Army Air Corps in the Philippines during World War II.

After the war, he married Edith Joy McCrary of Clarendon on December 30, 1946; and they had two daughters, Kittie and Melissa.

Bill was an avid cattle rancher for over 30 years and owned 3 Cooke Cattle Company of Hedley. He loved ranching, and one of his many achievements included winning Grand Champion for his registered Hereford bull at the Fort Worth Stock Show.

In later life, he married Dorothy Wireman and lived in Amarillo where Bill devotedly worked at Amarillo College as an instructor in the area of alcohol and drug counseling/rehabilitation programs.

He will be lovingly remembered by all for his wonderful sense of humor, inspirational public speaking, and service to others for over 40 years. Bill was a beloved father, grandfather, and friend to many in the community and will be missed by all who knew him.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Cooke.

Survivors include his two daughters, Kittie Ford of Amarillo and Lissa Cooke of Dallas; one stepdaughter, Dena Gann of Amarillo; and his grandchildren: Christy, Brad, Angie, Kevin, Stephanie, David, and C.W. and their children.

The family suggests memorials be to Top of Texas Alcoholics Anonymous Group, 1301 S. Taylor, Amarillo 79101.