Billy Cook

NEW MADRID -- Billy Dan Cook of New Madrid passed away Jan. 29, 2012, at Chateau Girardeau in Cape Girardeau where he has been a resident since June of 2011.

Bill was a rural mail carrier for Route 3 in Portageville for over 30 years. Along with his wife, he also owned Cook's Jewelry and Gifts in Portageville where he was a watch and jewelry repairman. A veteran of the United States Army, he served in World War II. Bill had a lifelong love of music and singing which he passed on to both his children. Many may remember him singing with the popular "4 Bills" gospel quartet or leading worship at First Baptist Church and Trinity Baptist Church, both in Portageville, where he served for many years as worship leader.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Carlotta Phillips Cook; his mother, Velma Jane Byrd Cook; his father, Charles Alfred Cook; two brothers, Charles A. Cook Jr. and Jack Calvin Cook; and a stepdaughter, Melissa Dawson Hunter.

He is survived by: his wife, Catherine Dawson Cook; one daughter, Karla Kaye Cook Drury (Dan) of Cape Girardeau; one son, William Dan Cook (Jennifer) of Pensacola, Fla.; two stepsons, George W. Dawson Jr. (Jane Ann) and Hayden K. Dawson (Lisa) both of New Madrid; two stepdaughters, Malinda Dawson Grunwald (Jeff) of Memphis, Tenn., and Dixie M. Dawson of St. Louis; a special family friend, Barbara Straker of St. Louis; and 15 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the DeLisle Funeral Home in Portageville.

Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at the Immaculate Conception Church in New Madrid.

Interment will follow at the Portageville Cemetery.

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Memorial contributions

may be made to:

American Cancer Society

106 Farrar Dr. No. 104

Cape Girardeau, MO 63701

Paid obituary