Robert Arthur "Bob" Cooper, 76, of Wilson, N.C., formerly of Foxburg and Parker, died at 1:30 p.m. Monday at Wilson Hospital, Wilson, N.C., following a brief illness.

Born Oct. 1, 1933, in Butler County, he was the son of the late Charles Lawrence and Nellie Fox Cooper.

Bob was employed in glass manufacturing more than 44 years, beginning with the former Knox Glass Corp. at Parker and retiring from Foster-Forbes at Wilson, N.C. At retirement, he was maintenance supervisor of the Wilson operation.

He was affiliated with the Moose Lodge in Wilson, the Rotary Club in Parker and in Wilson, and the IOOF in Parker and in Wilson. Along with his wife and son, he was a longtime avid NASCAR fan.

Bob was a Protestant.

Surviving are his wife, Shirley Fair Cooper; a son and his companion, Shane Cooper and Yuying Johnson of Laurel, Md.; three brothers, Ellis (Doris) Cooper of Chicora, Owen (Carolyn) Cooper of Odenton, Md., and Sharon (Jacqueline) Cooper of Nightdale, N.C.; and a number of nieces and nephews.

<B>COOPER</B> — No visitation or services are scheduled at the request of Robert Arthur "Bob" Cooper, who died Monday, Dec. 15, 2009. A memorial may be planned later.Local service was provided by <B>Buzard Funeral Home</B> of Parker.