WILLIE COOPER

God has called a devoted servant from labor to his eternal rest. Willie Cooper, son of Ella Ree Cooper, was born Oct. 9, 1956. He was ushered into paradise late Thursday evening, March 7, 2024, at Sumter East Health and Rehabilitation Center in Sumter.
Willie was educated in the public schools of Sumter County. He served in the food and hospitality career and was employed as a manager of IHOP-Sumter for 18 years. Additionally, he had a lawncare service which allowed him to fulfill his passion of being a self-employed entrepreneur.
He served faithfully as a member of Joshua Baptist Church, where he served on the trustee and usher boards.
Willie leaves to celebrate his memory: his wife, Gloria Dargan Cooper; a son, Shelton (Veronique) Cooper, and a daughter, Shanieka Cooper, both of Sumter; five brothers, James Lee Cooper of Sumter, Ernest (Ella) Cooper of Marion, General Lee Cooper of Sumter, John (Wanda) Clinkscales of Harlem, New York, and Curtis Clinkscales of Columbia; one loving sister, Sharon (Gordon) McQuiller of Sumter; seven grandchildren; one great-grandson; two sisters-in-law; three brothers-in-law; and a host of family and friends.
Willie was preceded in death by his mother, Ella Ree Cooper; a daughter, Quanna “Bonay” Cooper; his mother and father-in-law, Isaac and Angeline; and a sister-in-law, Mary Dargan Brooks.
In accordance with COVID-19 guidelines, the family is requesting face masks and social distancing be observed by relatives and friends during visitation at the home 2235 Sanford Drive, Sumter.
Funeral services will be held at noon Friday, March 15, 2024, at the Joshua Baptist Church, 5200 Live Oak Road, Dalzell, with the Rev. Eugene G. Dennis, pastor and eulogist.
The remains will be placed in the church at 11 a.m. for viewing until time of services.
The procession will leave the home at 11:15 p.m.
Burial will be in the Joshua Baptist Church Cemetery.
Services directed by the management and staff of Williams Funeral Home Inc., 821 N. Main St., Sumter, South Carolina. Online messages may be sent to the family at www.williamsfuneralhomeinc.com.