On Aug. 16, William “Bill” Gaines Cooksey passed away at the age of 73. 

Bill was born in West Point on March 7, 1946. He was the child of the late Gaines and Adell Cooksey and the brother of the late Norma Jean Green. Bill was a Vietnam veteran and attended Columbus College. He met his wife of 43 years, Peggy Oglesby, in the winter of 1975, and they married the following year. They have two daughters, Christina Powers, of Marietta, Georgia, who wed Ben Powers, and Sara Palmer, of San Diego, California, who married Toby Palmer. Bill was very active in the girls’ development. As the daughters grew up, he was active in their Girl Scout troops and coaching them in softball. His girls were his life, and he never passed up an opportunity to be in their lives.  He leaves behind five grandchildren, Sophia, Sienna, William “Rob” Jackson and Lucas.

Since retiring from a career in sales, Bill and Peggy enjoyed traveling extensively. They spent 12 months exploring the Hawaiian Islands, relaxing in the Caribbean and visiting numerous National Parks. Vacationing became his hobby; he was always planning their next adventure. Bill also loved watching his grandchildren play soccer, performing in school plays, vacations at the beach (living the Salt Life), dressing up for Halloween and trips to Disney. He also found pleasure escaping to Sugar Ridge, the family farm in south Alabama. Some of his loves were Alabama football, napping on the beach and eating the freshest seafood. 

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held at 11 a.m., on Aug. 22 at H. M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill, 4550 Peachtree Road NE. Bill’s nephew, Morgan Green, will be officiating. Visitation will also be held at H. M. Patterson & Son – Oglethorpe Hill on Aug. 21 from 5 p.m. through 7 p.m.  His final resting place will be at Buck Creek Baptist Church Cemetery in Red Level on Aug. 24 at noon. Abb Oglesby, Joseph Oglesby, Jarrod Oglesby, Ben Powers and Toby Palmer will be pallbearers.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in memory of Bill can be made to the Full Tummy Project of Covington County, P.O. Box 211, Andalusia 36421 or PayPal: paypal.me/fulltummycovco.