Billy Cooper, 73, of Midland, passed away on Tuesday, July 5, 2005, at the Hospice Inpatient Unit at Midland Memorial Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 9, 2005 at the Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity in Midland with Rev. Dr. Mark L. Cannaday rector, officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park .He was born on September 12, 1931, in Haynesville, Louisiana. He married Anne Fetty on December 29, 1970 in Hobbs, New Mexico.He graduated from Oil City High School in Oil City, Louisiana. Billy began his career in the oil industry at the age of 14 working as a contractor to Texaco building rigs, and continued with McCullough Tool Company upon graduation from College. He worked for X-Pert Well Service, Pride Petroleum, Dawson, & finally with Key Energy. He was an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Midland, and St. Christopher Episcopal Church in Hobbs, New Mexico where he served in many capacities including a member of the Vestry. Billy was a member of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association, American Energy Service Contractors, Wildcatters, and a 32nd degree Mason. Billy was an avid golfer with 3 holes in one and was a member of Green Tree Country Club. He was a commitee Chairman several times for the API Golf Tournament. He grew up playing dominoes, and loved to play poker. Billy also met all the requirements to become an Eagle Scout and actively supported three of his grandsons to also receive this honor. He served as an Executive on Loan from Key Energy to the United Way. He was a great believer in the values of the United Way. The folllowing is an excerpt from the Sep-Oct issue of the Key notes Magazine of Key Energy:"Billy was raised in Oil city, LA, a town of 1500 people. He began working in the oilfield 59 years ago at the age of 14 someting that would be unthinkable today. As a solid student-athlete, he was awarded a football scholarship to Louisiana Tech . After two years, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and became a Korean War-era vet. Following his armed forces experience he returned to college, earned a degree in geological engineering, and resumed his career in the energy industry. He has held virtually every job in the well servicing industry ranging from roustabout to Executive Vice President. He has retired twice only to be talked out of it."Survivors include; his wife Anne Cooper; son, Michael Dayton Cooper and his wife Sandy and their children Gabe, Luke, Lacy of Mesa Arizona; son Stephen Scott Cooper and his wife Timee and their children, Stephen, Elisabeth, Jordan, and Christopher of Houston, Texas; son, Anthony Lin Cooper and his wife Norm and their children Yarrow, Joshtin and Cami of Houston, Texas; son, Charles Michael Girrens of Witchita, Kansas; son, Scott David Girrens and his wife Lynette and their children Sharon, Brandi, and Jasmine of Farmington, New Mexico; two great grandchildren and one nephew James Wyatt.Preceded in death by his parents and his sister Bobbie Camille Wyatt and her son Gerald Wyatt.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 1412 W. Illinois, Midland, TX 79701; Hospice of Midland, P.O. Box 2621, Midland, TX 79702; Marine Corp Scholarship Foundation, P.O. Box 3008, Princeton, NJ 08543-3008, or any charity of your choice. Special thanks to Dr. David Watkins, David Nicholas, his home hospice nurse, and the Hospice Midland Inpatient Unit for all their care and support. Pallbearers will be Bruce Madison, Harold McDonald, Francis McDonald, Jeff Freeman, Russ Mathis, Donnie Davis, Jim Sutherland, Barry Arnwine.Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home and Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,
