W.C. "Bill" Cook

On April 15, 2015, God reached out and said, "Bill, so many of those 'one more days' you greeted friends with were good days. Things have changed. It is time to leave these bad ones behind and come home with me." Wilfred Clarence Cook answered the call just five days before his 95th birthday.

Known to his loving family as Wilfred, but after becoming a Montanan, he was just "Bill." He was born April 20. 1920, in Puyallup, Washington, to John and Corinne Palmer Cook. He graduated from Puyallup High School in 1940. While attending the University of Washington and after the Japanese attack, Bill left for Pearl Harbor to work on damaged ships. After eight months he came back to the states and joined the Army, as usual following in the footsteps of his beloved brother. John. He survived the battle of Okinawa and was later stationed in occupied Japan. Bill was honorably discharged in 1946.

He was then employed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration, now known as the Federal Aviation Administration. In 1948 Bill met Bernice Foster in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. They were married six months later and traveled for three years in his work. In 1951 they settled in Missoula, where their three sons were born.

In 1955 Bill purchased the downtown OK Tire Store, later moving it to south Missoula. He ventured into one of the first television ads on Missoula's lone TV station. Who could forget the Snake River Outlaws band leading into Bill and his tire ads broadcasting live from TV Mountain and later from the downtown station.

In 1989 Bill sold the store, intending to retire. Not able to stay inactive very long, he started his own home tire repair shop repairing for several larger tire stores in the area. On his birthday he decided some of those very large tires were too much for a 90-year-old geezer to handle; it was time to celebrate a birthday by retiring.

Bill Cook dearly loved his three sons, Jim, Terry and Dan. He worked with them in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts and other activities. They fished, camped and played together until the boys grew up, but never losing the closeness and love they shared. Some of the happiest moments were hiking through the Bob Marshall with his Boy Scout troop with a Boys Life magazine photographer along. Another joyful time in Bill's life was spent kayaking down the Blackfoot River with his beloved German shepherd, Duke, who would give his lick of approval to each fish as it was reeled in.

In the last few years watching sports on TV and his daily walks with his son, Dan, were a big part of the wonderful life he lived. He loved the Lord and often said, "The Lord has been good to me." As a member of Missoula First Baptist Church for many years, he served on various boards and committees. At the present time, he was a member of Hope Baptist Church in West Riverside.

From the days of skiing on Mount Rainer to spear fishing in the South Pacific, it was a great ride.

Bill will be forever in our hearts with love and precious memories.

Bill was preceded in death by three brothers, John, Palmer and Herbert; two sisters, Marie Weaver and MaryEllen Parker; and very recently Janice Kahm, someone very dear to Terry. Survivors include Bernice, his loving wife of 66 years; sons, James Cook of Arizona, Terry Cook of Missoula and Daniel Cook (Kim Smith) of Missoula; a sister, Constance Midgett of Des Moines, Washington; three granddaughters, Tana Cook Avellar (John), Brandy Cook (Ryan) and Kristine Cook Kim (Jason), all of Washington; one great grandson, Lox; many nephews and nieces; and a daughter-in-law, Chong Cook of Washington.

No services are planned at this time. At Bill's request, his ashes will be spread at his favorite fishing spots on the Big Blackfoot River. With love and prayers this will be done later this summer.

Memorials may be made to the donor's favorite charity.
Read W.C. 'Bill' Cook's Obituary and Guestbook on www.missoulafuneralhomes.com.