William Cooper

William "Bert" Cooper was born February 26, 1930 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi into the loving family of William and Wilhelmine Cooper. He grew up in Enid, Oklahoma with his fun-loving brothers, Jim and Larry, and his baby sister, Mary. After graduating from Enid High School, he attended his beloved Oklahoma A & M University, where he was a member of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity and where he perpetrated much mischief which became the basis for many of the stories he loved to tell. After graduation, he married Joy Ann Borroughs, who gave him his two sons, Rick and Larry, both of whom were the lights of his life. In 1969, he married Charlene Noblett who added two step-daughters, Jennifer and Julianne Noblett, to his family. Bert's home life was completed the day he married Terri Drew Cooper. For over thirty years, they shared their mutual love, interests, and hobbies. When they were not attending a civic or social function with their Oklahoma City friends, they could most often be found enjoying the pleasures of the sun and water in the company of their many close friends at Lake Texoma. Bert's career began when he accepted a position with W&W Steel in 1951. He began in the City Sales Department and rose to become CEO and Chairman of the Board. Along with his son, Rick, he acquired W&W Steel in the '90's, and in 2002 they purchased AFCO Steel, creating one of largest structural steel companies in the United States. Bert was a nationally recognized leader in the industry and was respected and loved by his customers, competitors, and employees alike. His influence on all who knew him, both personally and professionally, cannot be overstated. Among the many projects completed under Bert's guidance at W&W/AFCO Steel were Oklahoma State University Boone-Pickens Stadium, Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the New York Times building in Manhattan, and the 9-11 Memorial Pavilion. Bert believed in and was committed to service to his community. His passion for Oklahoma City was expressed by his leadership roles in numerous civic organizations, including vice-chairman of the original MAPS oversight committee, member of the Riverfront Redevelopment Authority, chairman of the Oklahoma City Parks Commission, and board member of the Myriad Gardens Authority and Foundation. He was a board member of Lake Hefner Trails, which he helped merge into Oklahoma City Beautiful and was a major force behind the completion of the Lake Hefner Trails, where there stands a monument to his leadership and contribution. He was also a life-long contributor to the arts in Oklahoma City and was honored with the Governor's Arts Award and the Business and the Arts Award from the Arts Council of Oklahoma City. Another of Bert's great loves was Oklahoma State University, where he endowed professor chairs, funded scholarships, and contributed to OSU Cowboy athletics. It would be hard to overstate his love for his university and the OSU Cowboys. Bert passed from this life on the morning of Tuesday, February 28th. He was a huge presence in the lives of all who knew him. His sense of humor, charm, and zest for life will be missed. His departure leaves a vast void in our lives and sends a fierce energy to the universe. He will be deeply missed. Bert was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Jim. He is survived by his loving wife Terri, of Oklahoma City; son Rick and his wife Lerri, of Oklahoma City; son Larry and his wife Monica, of Clearwater, Florida; step-daughter, Jennifer Evenson and her husband Tom, of Oklahoma City; step-daughter Julianne Landin and her husband Jesse, of Ft. Worth, Texas. Also, he is survived by his grandchildren, Tanner Cooper and his wife Lindsay and their son Jackson, of Tulsa; Tyler Cooper and his wife Megan, of New York City; Riley Cooper, of Clearwater, Florida; Lindsey Cooper, of Clearwater, Florida; Andi Evenson, of Oklahoma City; and Charlie Evenson, of Oklahoma City. Additionally, Bert is survived by his brother Larry Cooper and his wife Ann, of Tempe, Arizona; sister Mary Hinrichs and her husband Christian, of Oregon House, California; and numerous loving nieces and nephews, along with a host of friends who loved him dearly. Services are scheduled for 12:00 noon, Friday March 2, at United Methodist Church of the Servant, 14343 North MacArthur Blvd, Oklahoma City. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Oklahoma City. A reception will follow at Oklahoma Golf and Country Club. Memorial gifts may be made to Oklahoma City Beautiful, The Oklahoma City Museum of Art, and The Oklahoma State University Foundation.