William D. (Dickie) Cooper passed away on June 25, 2026. He was born February 23, 1941, in Monroe OK to W R (Rob) and Pearl Cooper. He was of Freewill Baptist belief.
He married the love of his life Anna Louise Hickman on September 10, 1960, and lived at his home for 62 years.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Ann Cooper, one son Richard Cooper and wife Eva Cooper, three grandchildren Callandra Dunigan and husband Martin Dunigan, Cory Cooper, Scotty Jacob Woodral and wife Frankie, and great grandchildren Taylor Layne Roberts, Trey Stephen Roberts, Kaydence Shea Cooper, Brody Allen Cooper, Madden Cooper, Penelope Woodral, Adeline Woodral and Leona Woodral. Nephews and nieces, Kelly Dean Cooper and wife Karla Cooper, Regina Lou McAlister and husband Rick, Rodney Lee Cooper and wife, Randy Lee Cooper and wife Carolyn, Ryan Lee Cooper and wife Kim, Martin Cooper and wife Janice, Nicole Kester and husband Warren, one brother Ronnie Cooper, a brother-in-law Wayne Mahan, sister-in-law Betty Lou Cooper, and many friends and extended family.
Preceded in death by his parents W. R. (Rob) Cooper and Pearl Lucille Cooper, brothers Bobby Gene Cooper, Jerry Damon Cooper, Joe Dean Cooper, and sister Wanda Sue Mahan and grandson Randy Lee Billings
Dickie’s first job was with Hester Freight Company in Poteau where he drove trucks locally delivering freight, which later was purchased by Vernon Roberts and was then changed to Roberts Trucking Company. Dickie was dock foreman for many years in charge of all the freight coming and going and the drivers. He left Roberts Trucking Company and went to work for AOG a public utility company where he worked for 23 years. Managed the Office in Sallisaw Oklahoma before returning to Poteau to retire. He received a safe driving award for many miles without an accident.
He loved traveling especially roads and places he had never been. He was roped into taking square dancing lessons and was immediately in love with that traveling to several cities with his square dance club in Oklahoma and Arkansas. He also loved to do the two-step with his wife and the sweetheart schottische with his sister-in-law Beverly Ann. (she was the only person that would do that dance with him)
First date he had with Ann when he took her home Jack was waiting for her in the house when she went in and he said “Young lady you are never to get into a car with that boy again, I heard him coming five miles away” This is from the man that the Highway Patrol Buster Lynn could not catch and Buster told him one time “I know that was you that I lost in the chase but I will get you one of these days”.
As I said earlier, he belonged to a square dance club, Poteau had a Gong Show at the civic center and five members of the square dance club dressed up with their wives can cans, wigs and cowboy boots called themselves the five Fillies and did a dance routine to Amos Moses by Jerry Reed. It was Dickie, his brother Ronnie, Ronald Lee Burgess, Merle Branstetter and DeWayne Chandler, every time they got close to the three judges Ronald Lee would say gong us gong us. It was funny audience was laughing really loud they won the most unusual act. Picture made front page of the Poteau Newspaper.
He was a unique person, a very happy person easy going and comfortable to be around. Never complained even though for 13 years he was in pain every day. He loved and adored his family and having them around him made him happy. He adored watching his son Richard and daughter-in-law Eva mow around his home. He would say I wish I felt like mowing. However, one day his son was out back of his house weed eating and Dickie rode his electric wheelchair down there, got on the lawn mower and took off mowing. Richard thought it was Eva mowing, he went in the house and there was Eva he said who is on the mower. Went to the shop where the mower was kept and there was Dickies wheelchair he had stolen the lawnmower.
He loved his extended family – cousins of his wife Ann who lived close to his home and were special to him. All of his family and friends were special to him.
The Celebration of Life Services for Dickie will be 5pm – Monday July 6, 2026, at The Cedars on Dewey, 520 Dewey Avenue Poteau, Oklahoma 74953. Honorary Pallbearers – Kelly Cooper, Rodney Cooper, Ryan Cooper, Randy Cooper, Marty Cooper and Scott Garrett
Online condolences can be made at www.holtfuneralandcremation.com
“Through Love, Serve One Another”
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