William H. “Bill” Cook Jr.

William H. “Bill” Cook Jr., 96, of Eau Claire, a highly decorated World War II veteran, passed away Sunday morning at Orchard Manor Nursing Home in Grove City following an illness.

Born July 11, 1922, in Argentine, Butler County, he was the son of the late William H. Sr. and Barbara Ryder Cook.

Bill attended Bethel United Methodist Church in Eau Claire, and had attended the former North Washington High School.

He owned and operated a grocery store in Cortland, Ohio, for years, and then moved to Safety Harbor, Fla., where he owned and operated the same type of grocery business until retirement.

Bill served in the U.S. Army during World War II, from March 10, 1943, to honorable discharge on Nov. 1, 1945. He was discharged with rank of private first class. He served in Southern and Northern France, Normandy, Ardennes, Rhineland, and all of Central Europe. A member of the Airborne, he parachuted into Normandy on June 6, 1944, and into Holland on Sept. 17, 1944, going into battle in both invasions.

For his actions, he was awarded the EAME Theater Service Medal with seven stars, the Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Arrowhead, Parachutist Badge, and Distinguished Unit Badge with three Oak Leaf Clusters.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Martin Miller Cook, whom he married Oct. 21, 1994; his stepdaughter, Tracy (Jim) Weeter of Knox; six step-grandchildren; six step-great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

As the last surviving member of the immediate Cook family, he is survived by his brothers-in-law, Robert Martin and Eugene Bonetti; and his sisters-in-law, Juanita Martin and Doris Martin.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Dorothy Margaret Shaner Cook, who passed away on June 20, 1991; three sisters, Shirley Bonetti, Florence Gladd and Mildred Fleming; and seven brothers, Earl, Albert, Keith, Paul, Glenn, Ron and Don Cook; and a stepson, Brent A. Miller.

COOK — Visitation for William H. “Bill” Cook Jr., who died Sunday, Aug. 12, 2018, will be held from 1 to 2 p.m. Friday at Bethel United Methodist Church in Eau Claire.A veteran memorial service will precede the funeral service at 2 p.m. and will be conducted by the Rev. Sarah Adkins, church pastor, and the Rev. Dan Myers, retired Methodist pastor.Private inurnment will follow at Eau Claire Cemetery.Members of VFW and American Legion of Parker will conduct the veteran service.H. Jack Buzard Funeral Home of Eau Claire is assisting the family with arrangements.To view/send condolences, flowers, sympathy cards visit www.buzardfuneralhomes.com