John William “Bill” Cooper, formerly of Marion

John William "Bill" Cooper, Sr., 77, of Coffeen, Illinois, formerly of Marion, died at 3:55 a.m. Friday, Dec. 28 at Hillsboro Area Hospital.

Bill was born May 19, 1941 in Marion to John Edward and Helen L. (Albright) Cooper. He was a retired United Methodist minister.

Bill was a 1959 graduate of Marion High School. He then earned an associate degree in electronics and bachelor's degree in science electronics from SIUC. He attended Eden Theological Seminary in St. Louis, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Vandalia and an Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War.

Bill married Mildred Carolyn Wharry on Nov. 23, 1962 at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Paulton. She survives in Coffeen.

Other survivors include his daughter, Terri Lynn Drees, of Trenton; son, John William (Peggy) Cooper, Jr., of Coffeen; six grandchildren, George (Jamie) Timmermann of Mascoutah, Tyler (Jamie) Cooper of Coffeen, Jami Drees (Travis Blumhorst) of Lebanon, Colby Cooper of Coffeen, Kerriann Cooper of Coffeen, and Joseph Drees of Trenton; five great-grandchildren, Bryce and Kaden Timmermann of Mascoutah and Jase, Mason and Maebry Cooper of Coffeen; and one brother, Bobby Joe Cooper of Marion.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Carol Ann James.

A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Monday, Dec. 31 at the First United Methodist Church in Vandalia, with the Revs. Terry Westerfield and Greg Courtwright officiating.

Burial will follow at Columbarium Cemetery on the church grounds in Vandalia. Cremation rites have been accorded.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church Family Life Center in Vandalia, the Preachers' Aid Society in Springfield, or Hillsboro Methodist Church.

Condolences may be made online at basspattondeanfh.com.