William “Billy” Cooper, age 76, of Fountain Inn, SC, passed peacefully on July 16, 2025, surrounded by the family he so cherished.

Born on September 27, 1948 in Simpsonville, SC, Billy lived a life rich in purpose, laughter, and love. Known to some as “Bill,” to others as “Uncle B,” and to his grandchildren simply as “Pa,” he wore many names; each one a reflection of the unique and lasting impact he had on the lives around him. He wasn’t just one man, but many things to many people: a faithful husband, a proud father, a grandfather full of wisdom and wit, a dependable friend, and a quiet hero.

Billy served his country with honor across multiple branches of the United States military, dedicating nearly 20 years of his life to service. He didn’t talk much about it, but those years shaped the steady, capable, fiercely grounded, and deeply loyal man we all knew.

After leaving the military, he didn’t slow down, not even close. He hauled race cars, drove big rigs, wrangled heavy machinery, and could fix just about anything with a wrench, a little cussing, and a whole lot of know-how. (Yes, we know this is going on the church website, but if you knew him, you know he’d laugh and say, “Well, they already know how I talked.”)

A man of grit and faith, Billy lived with a deep, quiet belief in the Lord. He joined Fountain Inn First Baptist Church, where he found community and comfort. His faith was the kind you lived more than preached; steady, constant, and never shaken.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 55 years, Linda Cooper; daughter, Jamie Jackson (Chuck); granddaughter, Taylor Smith (Nate); grandson, Chase Jackson; brother, Don Cooper (Nita); cousins, Bobby Dillard (Robin) and Jason Cooper (Alicia); and many nieces and nephews he loved like his own, more and more with each passing year.

A celebration of Billy’s life will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025 at 10:30am at Fountain Inn First Baptist Church with service to follow at 11:30am. All are welcome to come share stories, hugs, and maybe even a few of his favorite sayings.

Billy will be remembered not only for his years of service to his country, but for the way he served those around him every single day: with his hands, his heart, and a spirit that never gave up. He lived a thousand lives in one, and we were all lucky to know him in one of them.

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Visit Fountain Inn First Baptist Church webpage www.fifbc.org

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