William Russell Cook

Mr. William Russell Cook, 87, passed away Sunday, June 26, 2016 at Forsyth Medical Center. He was born August 11, 1928 in Forsyth County to the late James Everette and Lessie Veigh Everhart Cook. Mr. Cook graduated from Griffith High School in 1948 and was currently the longest active member of New Friendship Baptist Church where he had served as a Deacon, Trustee, and Sunday school teacher. He also served as the Committee Chairman of Boy Scout Troop 781. He was a veteran of the U.S. Army having served during the Korean War and was later awarded the Korean War Service Medal from the South Korean government. Mr. Cook retired in 1989 from Gray & Creech Inc. after 34 years of service as a sales representative, where he consistently received the President's Club Award and other awards as a top salesman. Mr. Cook loved history, reading and watching his favorite TV shows: Lawrence Welk, The Waltons, Gunsmoke and Bonanza. A great storyteller, he loved to sit on his front porch to visit and laugh with his family and friends, while sharing stories of the past. Preceding him in death were three brothers, James E. ""Jim"" Cook, Jr., Walter Lee ""Pete"" Cook, and Donald Gray ""Don"" Cook; one sister, Mabel Cook Houston. Surviving is his loving wife of 65 years, Jewel Elledge Cook; son, James Randall ""Randy"" Cook (Lori) of Dallas, TX; son, Stephen Russell ""Steve"" Cook (Vikki) of Winston-Salem; daughter, Julia ""Julie"" Cook Hart (Greg) of Winston-Salem; eight grandchildren, Tyler Hart, Jessica Miller-Hart, Ryan Cook, Haley Cook, Jordan Hart, Zack Cook, Weston Cook, and Joshua Hart; also surviving are many special nieces, nephews and brothers and sisters-in-law; and a longtime friend since childhood, Bill White. A funeral service will be held 1:00 PM Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at New Friendship Baptist Church with Pastor Chris Byrne officiating. Burial will follow at the church cemetery. The family will receive friends 6-8 PM Tuesday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to New Friendship Baptist Church, 4258 Old Lexington Rd. Winston-Salem, NC 27107.

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