William G. Cooley, 95 years, of Monroe, Michigan went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, January 7, 2015 at Mercy Memorial Hospital in Monroe.
Born March 9, 1919 in Brooklyn, New York, Bill was the son of the late Gustav and Demetra (Diamond) Cooley. The family moved to Monroe in 1920. Bill attended Monroe Public Schools and was a 1937 graduate of Monroe High School.
Bill served his country honorably and proudly as a Staff Sergeant in the US Army during WWII. He served aboard the USS Catoctin as chief of communications and radio operator. He was involved in the invasion of Southern France and was aboard the ship when President Roosevelt met with Charles de Gaulle and Winston Churchill. He was awarded the European, African, Middle Eastern Campaign, and American Theater Ribbon with three Bronze Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead. He also served in the National Guard for 5 years.
On April 3, 1948 Bill married his beloved wife, the former Elizabeth "Betty" C. Hale at Trinity Episcopal Church in Monroe. Sadly, she preceded him in death on February 27, 1996 after 47 years of marriage.
Bill worked as an inspector for Monroe Auto Equipment for 29 years and as a screw machine operator for DeVilbiss in Toledo for 17 years from which he retired in 1981.
He attended St. Paul's United Methodist Church, and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Moose Lodge #884 and a life member of VFW Post 1138. His hobbies included traveling, woodworking, cabinet making, and playing cards. Most of all he enjoyed time spent with family.
Bill is survived by three sons: Robert W. (Linda M.) Cooley, Paul G. (Lisa) Cooley, and Daniel J. (Kathy) Cooley all of Monroe, ten cherished grandchildren: Scott (Michelle) Cooley, Renee Palmer, Shawn Cooley, Jonathan Cooley, Danielle (Grant) Kozlowski, Danny Cooley, Katie Cooley, Kari Cooley, Stephen McAuliffe, and Holli McAuliffe and 15 treasured great grandchildren.
In addition to his parents and wife, Bill was preceded in death by a brother: Peter Cooley and a sister: Mary Pipis.
Visitation will be held on Sunday from 1-7 PM in the Bacarella Funeral Home, 1201 S. Telegraph Rd., Monroe, MI 48161, where funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Monday, January 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM. The Rev. Tony Lynn will officiate. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. The VFW Post 1138 will conduct military honors at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the VFW Post 1138 building fund or Mercy Memorial Nursing Care Center.