William D. "Bill" Cooper

William D. “Bill” Cooper, 62 of Bristol, passed away Thursday, May 1, 2014 at Elkhart General Hospital from nearly a 2 year battle with kidney cancer.

He was born on Sept. 8, 1951 in Elkhart to Robert and Betty (Maggert) Cooper. He married Peg Nelson on July 6, 1987. She survives along with 2 daughters, Tina Cooper of Goshen and Teresa (Gary) Grissom of Decatur, MI, and 4 granddaughters, Brittany, Jessica, Melissa and Gabrielle. He is also survived by a sister, Pat (John) Gonser of Bristol and 2 brothers, Bob (Diane) Cooper of Bristol and Steve (Dorothy) Cooper of Round Lake, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother Tom (Shelby) Cooper in 1994.

Bill graduated from Elkhart High School in 1969 and had a heart transplant at Cleveland Clinic on Dec. 29, 1985. He worked at Elkhart Brass for many years starting in 1974 as a supervisor and manufacturing engineer. He also worked from Nov. 1995 to Oct of 2001 at Hess Engineering before returning to Elkhart Brass.

He loved riding his Harley and spending time with friends and family and traveling.

Family and friends may call from 4-8 pm Monday, May 5th at Stemm-Lawson-Peterson Funeral Home, Elkhart. Private burial will be at Rice Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Humane Society of Elkhart County or the donor’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.stemmlawsonpeterson.com.