Bill Cooper, 65, mechanic made career in government
October 24, 2024
William Cooper of Pawleys Island died Oct. 14, in an auto accident on Highway 521 in Greeleyville. He was 65.
He was born Feb. 3, 1959, in Palo Alto, Calif., and raised in Menlo Park, the son of Roger and Pat Cooper.
He graduated from San Jose State University with a liberal arts major, but his love of mechanics led him to a job as a bus mechanic for the city of San Jose.
When his two little girls arrived, he decided to find a more reliable job with the state of California, as an inspector for the Bureau of Automotive Repairs, a branch of the Department of Consumer Affairs.
He moved to Sacramento, where he met his wife of 10 years, Elaine. He put in 28 years of service, and decided a change of scenery was in order upon retirement.
Mr. Cooper and his wife flew to Savannah and began a coastal tour in search of a retirement home. Upon arriving in Pawleys Island, they knew they had found their new residence, where he became an avid proponent of preservation of the Waccamaw Neck.
He enjoyed hiking in the mountains, four-wheeling in the desert, international travel, motorcycle trips, train rides and time with his grandkids. His love of all things mechanical made him very popular with friends in need of his expertise. He rebuilt vintage motor bikes, kept everyone’s cars running right, kept his bicycles in tip top shape and repaired anything for anyone.
He was well read, with a focus on the two world wars, biographies, railroads and motor vehicles. He loved to research topics of interest, spending hours in front of the computer or with a book in hand.
In addition to his wife, Elaine Chasse Cooper; he is survived by his younger brother, Thomas Cooper; his daughters, Megan Galyon (James) and Teresa Sawyer (Kris); his “adopted” son, Aaron; his grandchildren, Owen, Clara and Millie; and his and niece and nephew, Shannon and Michael.
A celebration of remembrance will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Keep It Green or Wild Things Freedom Center.
