William C. Cook, longtime Raymond resident, passed away Thursday, Jan. 20 at his home on Hammond Road. “Bill” was just 3 weeks shy of his 92nd birthday. He was born Feb. 13, 1930 in PeEll, Washington to Homer and Gladys Cook. He grew up with his older brother Edgar and younger sister Sheralyn in different locations around the Pacific County area.
Nearly 6’7” tall, since high school, Bill cut an imposing figure. His high school basketball team went to the state playoffs in 1949, and Bill later went on to play semi-pro basketball in south eastern Alaska.
After graduating high school Bill worked for 15 years as a logger in Alaska. He achieved notoriety in the late ’60s by becoming the All Alaska Logger 3 years in a row, the trophy was retired, and his record has not been beaten to this day.
After logging, Bill worked heavy equipment construction in Sequim for 7 years before moving back to Raymond in 1975 as a partner in Irv Stephens logging company. He retired in 1989 and continued to live in the local area.
Bill was an avid fisherman and hunter, and liked nothing better than to be out catching fish with his good buddy Keith. After retiring, he spent countless hours working outside. He dug wild daffodils from everywhere and come spring, his home is surrounded by them.
Bill had three sons from his first marriage to Thora Jolley, and three stepchildren from his second marriage to Eve Hagar in 1968. Eve passed away in 2006. In 2007, Bill heard from his UPS driver that there was a nice widow living in the Lebam area that he should meet. Bill called and introduced himself, then roses in hand he walked up to her house and they started courting. In 2008, Bill and Virginia Dossey eloped to Reno, and lived out the rest of his life in their beautiful home overlooking the Willapa River.
Bill is survived by his wife Virginia of 14 years, sister Sheralyn Dire (Danny), children: Chuck Cook (Leslie), Beverly Hagar, Steve Hagar (Cecilia) and David Hagar, daughter-in-law Kristy Cook, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Eva Cook, brother Edgar Cook, sons Timmy and Rick Cook, and grandsons Timmy and Tedy Cook.
No memorial service is planned. The family would like to thank his multiple caregivers and friends for their loving support these past two and a half years.
Memorial contributions in his name can be made online to the Dementia Society of America, Willapa Harbor Helping Hands, or Harbor Home Health and Hospice.
