William "Bill" Cooper

Bill Cooper of Farmington passed away on Monday, April 26, 2010, at Parkland Health Center at the age of 75 years. He was born on December 17, 1934, son of the late Glen Dale and Mildred (McGrew) Cooper. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Jannette (Harvey) Cooper and his step-mother, Anna Cooper. At the early age of 23, Bill began turning his childhood vision into an entrepreneurship with the purchase of his first gas station that he obtained from his father. It was the oil business that taught him early lessons about what it takes to differentiate oneself as a true entrepreneur. These lessons were instrumental as he later established Cooper Oil Company in 1965 and continued to grow his gas station business into the largest jobbership in southeast Missouri. For the next 35 years, Cooper Oil Co. flourished and Bill served the oil industry in many capacities including lead positions in the Missouri Petroleum Marketing Assoc. It was his style, loyalty and long-term commitment to the business that led to an industry wide admiration by his peers nationwide. While Bill always contributed to the oil industry in major ways, he also managed to do it in his quiet, low profile manner. It wasn't until 1999, just prior to Bill exiting the oil industry through the sale of his business, that his peers were finally able to publicly honor him with the Missouri Petroleum and Convenience Store Association's Distinguished Service Award. Although his success in the oil business was instrumental in his career, it was yet another love that captured his heart and ultimately led him to what is today a full time focus . . . the banking industry. Bill's journey into the banking industry began in 1964 when he became a director of what was known then as First State Bank of Farmington. Utilizing his natural entrepreneurial instincts, Bill quickly established a solid foundation in the industry of community banking. In 1980, Bill purchased controlling shares of the locally owned bank and earned the position of Chairman of the Board, a position he continues to hold today. Through Bill's visionary leadership, the community bank on the corner of Columbia Street and H Highway has developed into a multifaceted financial mainstay in the Eastern Central part of our state. Today, that single bank location is referred to by his bank family as world headquarters Following multiple building expansions, the downtown facility, known today as First State Community Bank, is home to 32 banking locations, their parent company-First State Bancshares, First State Insurance Agency, First State Financial Management and their corporate aviation entity known to First State and aviation enthusiasts as Black Knight Air. FIRST STATE BANCSHARES NOW has over $1 billion in total assets AND IS THE LARGEST BANKING ORGANIZATION IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI. Bill exemplifies the meaning of a true entrepreneur. He was the pillar to the First State Family and the foundation of many rural, traditional, yet progressive communities in Missouri such as Farmington He will be sorely missed by many while his many entrepreneurial talents and his kind manner will be admired for generations to come. Survivors include two daughters, Terri Ann (Mrs. Paul) Grindstaff and Tammy Walker, both of Farmington, two grandsons, Paul Grindstaff III and his wife, Ashley and Justin Gillam all of Farmington; a brother, Jerry Cooper; a step-brother, Keith Settle and a special cousin, Dorothy Wright. Friends may call at Cozean Memorial Chapel from 3 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2010. Visitation will resume Friday from 7 to 8 a.m. A funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. at the Centene Center in Farmington with Mr. Lee Keith officiating. Interment will be at Hillview Memorial Gardens in Farmington. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Assoc., 460 N. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63141 or the Baptist Home of Ironton, PO Box 87, Ironton, MO 63650. View the tribute video, online obituary and share your condolences and memories at cozean.biz.