William R. "Billy" Cook

William R. “Billy” Cook, 94, died Saturday, July 7, 2018 at Grancare Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Fond du Lac. He was born in Kennett, MO on August 16, 1923, a son of Charles and Pearl (Farmer) Cook. On January 15, 1945, Billy married Bernice Ries at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lomira.



On December 10, 1942, Billy enlisted in the United States Army Air Force (USAAF). Following aircraft mechanic and gunnery schools, he was sent to England as part of the 398th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. Billy completed more than 25 combat missions over Europe, receiving the USAAF Air Medal with 5 Oak Leaf Clusters. He attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (T/SGT) before his discharge in October 1945.



Billy was an avid fisherman and hunter, as well as gardener. He was a member of both St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Lomira and the Knights of Columbus. As a mason, Billy started his own company, Cook’s Masonry Contracting, Inc.



Survivors include his wife, Bernice; five children, Sister Kathy Cook of Bisbee, AZ, Nancy Fedenko of Fond du Lac, Chuck Cook of Brownsville, Julie Cook of Fond du Lac and David (Kathy) Cook of Brownsville; seven grandchildren, Brian (Angie) Fedenko and Amy (Jeff) Hietpas, all of Oshkosh, Tina Cook-Sabel (Adrian) of Tallahassee, FL, Josh Cook (Amber) of Milwaukee, Katie Cook (Andy) of Oshkosh, Christina (Chris) Michael of Snellville, GA and Ryan (Shara) Cook of Andover, MN; 13 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

He is further survived by two brothers, Charles and Pat Cook; two sisters, Idella and Pearl Jean “PJ” Shupert; step-sister, Barbara Schraufnagel; a brother-in-law, Pat Ries (Janet Zamzow); two sisters-in-law, Janet Cook and Beatrice (Bud) Schill; a special niece, Judy Cook (Sal); along with many nieces, nephews, and assorted Indians.



In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Mary’s Parish in Lomira.



He was preceded in death by his parents; his step-father, Hank Warnke; two sons-in-law, Donald “Puppy” Fedenko and Jeffrey “Duffy” Belmer; a grandson, Cody Hietpas; twin great-great-grandchildren, Carson and Presley Thomas; two brothers, Lester “LV” (Marion) Cook, and Robert Cook; four sisters, Charlotte (Frankie) Conger, Mary (Herbert) Scharf, Ella Mae (Lester) Rae and Anna Lee (Wilber) Guelzow; a step-brother, Louie Schraufnagel; three brothers-in-law, Ernest Martin, John Shupert, and Bill Kundo; a sister-in-law, Ilene Ries; a nephew, Lester “Bud” Cook; his wife’s parents, Frank and Martha Ries, and his step-mother-in-law, Veronica Ries.



Visitation will be held from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM, Thursday, July 12, 2018 at Uecker-Witt Funeral Home, 524 N. Park Ave., Fond du Lac. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Friday, July 13, 2018 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 653 Milwaukee St., Lomira. Visitation at the church will be held from 9:00 AM until the time of Mass. Following the service, burial with military honors will take place in the parish cemetery.



The family wishes to thank the staff at Grancare as well as Agnesian Hospice Hope for the wonderful care that was given to Billy.