Bill Cook

Surrounded by family members during the peaceful passing at his home, Bill went to be with his Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on October 3, 2011.
Born to Rev. Dr. William Norman and Helen Reid Cook in 1927, Bill was the older of identical twin brothers. The Cook family resided in Danville, VA at the time, as his father was serving as a Presbyterian Minister there. Bill had an older sister, Anne Warwick, a twin brother, John Reid (“Jack”), and a younger sister, Mary Helen. The family moved several times, as The Lord directed the steps of Bill’s father in ministry. Bill graduated from Jefferson High School in Richmond, VA, and attended Hampden-Sydney and Lynchburg Colleges, in Lynchburg. He graduated from Lynchburg College in 1951. It was there that he met his sweetheart, Nancy Taylor, from Kansas City, MO, and they married in August, 1951.
Bill knew at a young age that he was called to work with people; he joined Lynchburg YMCA as a young man, serving as a youth camp counselor and worker. From the start, he made a great contribution to many lives, with his warm, genuine attitude about serving. In the mid-1950’s, Bill and Nancy moved to Kansas City, MO to be closer to Nancy’s family, and to accept a position at Independence Boulevard Christian Church. This was a major step in the journey of his life of service and ministry. He continued working with youth, and was Director of Christian Education. He was entrusted with many pastoral functions there also, including weddings and funerals. One of his great mentors, Dr. Will Sessions, was the Senior Minister at IBCC at the time. They remained life-long friends.
Around 1960, they moved to Springfield, MO to accept another ministry staff position at National Avenue Christian Church. In April, 1960, their son, Del, an only child, was born. In 1962, they moved back to Kansas City, where Bill returned to the YMCA, to direct programs at the Nor-Val-Ea YMCA, adjacent to Northeast High School. This resumed the already established love and relationship with the Northeast Community. After serving there until 1966, he became Assistant Director of Northeast Community Center, where he continued his beloved role of “coach”- living and leading by example, on and off the field. Making a positive impact on all of the young people was his joy and motivation, whether it was boys’ baseball, girls’ softball, summer camp….he was “living his dream”.
From 1970 into 1975 he served at West Side and Bellefontaine Community Centers of The Salvation Army in the Downtown Kansas City area, directing the athletics, camps, and other programs.
In 1975, an opportunity was offered to direct a newly-formed Seniors Program at Whatsoever Community Center, also in the Northeast area. He envisioned staying at Whatsoever Center until retirement. He still was building upon an amazing legacy. In addition to the senior citizen work, he twice served as Executive Director on an interim basis, and functioned as Associate Director. The home delivered meals program, directed by Bill and assisted by volunteers, would typically deliver as many as 13,000 meals to home-bound elderly on an annual basis.
In 1998, he and his Mother-in-law, Dorothy Taylor, moved into the home of Del and Julie Cook, and their children, Robin and Timothy. (His wife Nancy had passed away in 1991). This unique, wonderful arrangement brought four generations together! There was a precious bond of love shared amongst them all. His grandchildren were of immense delight to him, and they shared many cherished times together.
Bill retired from Whatsoever in 2000, ending 25 years there. This concluded his 39 year career of community service at United Way agencies. He continued to assist in fundraising efforts and other support of the center through 2010.
Bill has also served as a Sunday School teacher at Independence Boulevard Christian Church since 1996, in the “Beau Knot” Class. He has been a man of diligent Bible study and prayer, and was known to spend hours in prayer in behalf of others.
Throughout his life, the love of Jesus Christ, the spirit of joy, generosity, and kindness were displayed. He was a humble, caring, exuberant man. Anyone who met him remembered him—and he remembered them! He always displayed a confident trust in God, and was never critical or negative. He will be greatly missed, but these memories serve to challenge us to live out our highest calling—to be like Jesus Christ.