William Curtiss Cooper

William Curtiss Cooper, “Bill”, 81, widower of Beth Hopper Cooper, passed away at home, Saturday, April 30, 2016. Bill was born in Campobello, S.C., the son the late Eva Cooper Dixon. He was a member of Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, and the Adult Sunday School Class. Bill was retired after 30 years with the HR Department of Union Carbide, then Kemet Electronics, in Mauldin, S.C. He was a bluegrass/country music musician for more than 60 years. He played bass guitar for over 30 years with his lifelong friend, Jim “Tex” Davis, with Kay Crowe and the Tunetwisters, later, Kay Crowe & Session.

Bill and Beth were married for 53 years, a love story for the ages. He loved unconditionally as a husband, a father and a poppy. He is survived by his six children, Leisa Miller (Grady), Gena Veal (Bobby), Chris Cooper (Christine), Dayna Folk (Ben), Karma Marshall (Steve), Chip Cooper (Heather). 15 grandchildren, Maribeth Veal Crist (Jeremy), Jessie Rice Rankin, (Tim), Katie Cooper Cannada (Keith), Blake Rice (Channing), Curtiss Veal (Amanda), Carrie Cooper Chambers (Brad), Caroline Folk, Cameron Folk, Will Grismore, Bethanie Cooper, Rachel Grismore, Tayler Cooper, Allie Cooper, Trey Cooper and Callaway Cooper. Five great grandchildren, Ella Veal, Caylee Veal, Reagan Rice, Daniel Crist and Cooper Chambers. Four bonus grandchildren, Leslie & Cameron Miller, Jackie Wilkinson Novak (Spencer) and Lauren Wilkinson. Three bonus great grandchildren, Shives & Avery Rankin and Aubree Wilkinson, and two great grandchildren on the way and his sister Joan Dixon Cox. He was pre-deceased by his brother, James “Bud” Dixon.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, May, 5, 2016 at the Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 1800 East North St, Greenville, S.C. Visitation from 12 – 1:30 p.m. with interment to follow at Graceland East Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials in his name to Francis Asbury United Methodist Church, 1800 East North Street, Greenville, S.C. 29607 or to the Parkinson’s Disease Foundation, 1359 Broadway, Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.cremationsocietyofsc.com .