William Vernon Cooper

William Vernon Cooper , affectionately known as “Tee” was born    December 29, 1939, in  Pemiscot County, the 9th child of eleven sons and one daughter of the late Roy Cooper, Sr. and Louise Black Cooper.  He was the father of two sons, William “Snoopy” Ford and William “Sport” Cooper (Ambrosia).

     He  graduated from Central High School in Hayti, MO class of 1957.  He graduated from Lincoln University in 1967 with a major in    Mathematics , minor in Physics.  He completed the ROTC course at Lincoln but was drafted into the military during the Viet Nam War, before he completed his degree and did not complete his degree until   after his service in the Army.  Most of his time was spent in Germany.  He received the Good Conduct Medal and was an expert rifleman.  He completed his course work for his engineering degree from the           University of Illinois, Champaign Urbana in 1972 .  While at Lincoln University, he was considered to be one of the best students that Dr. Willis Byrd ever taught.  Dr. Byrd was considered to be one of the best research chemists in the United States.

    He designed the sewage and water treatment facilities at the Illinois Department of Correction in Southern Illinois while chief designer working for the Engineering Firm Clark Dietz & Associates.  He worked with Mr. David Humes Mayor of Hayti Heights, MO in      designing the sewage and water system for the city of Hayti Heights.  He retired from Nucor Steel near Blytheville, Arkansas.

    He is survived by his two sons; his siblings, Madeith Mike Cooper (Octavia), Alex Cooper, Sr. in Hayti,  Joel Curtis Cooper (Kay) in    Kennett, Juel Cooper Rush (Tommy) in Aurora, IL, Dr. Thomas        Jefferson Cooper (Sharlyn) in Fulton, MO; his extended family includes many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Roy , Jr., Charles, Cheley, Walter, John “Hanky” and Melvin “Fess” Cooper. 

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