William Robert "Billy Bob" Cooper, Sr., age 59, formerly of Malvern, died Tuesday at his home in Hot Springs. He was born in Malvern on December 18, 1949 to the late E. O. and Ressie Dean Parker Cooper. Reared and receiving his early education in Malvern, he graduated from Henderson State University in 1975. Billy Bob was an Air Force Veteran, serving during the Viet Nam era. He worked with his family in their State Farm Insurance Agency for 13 years and at his own agency for eight years. Billy Bob then did the work he loved, using his biology degree. He worked for the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers on Lake DeGray for several years.

He is survived by his children, William Robert Cooper, Jr. (Suzen) of Malvern and Colburn Lee Cooper (Rachael) of Florida; a brother E. O. Cooper, III of Dallas; a sister, Olivia Cooper Northcutt of Malvern; his grandchildren, Jared Cooper, Colby Cooper, and Kati Cooper; his nephews, Rex Oswalt, Shane Northcutt, and Jonphillip Cooper, a niece Ivy Cooper, a great-niece, Farah Oswalt, two great-nephews, Aaron and Evan Hollingshead; by his former wife and caregiver, Judy Bates-Cooper, and by longtime friends, Toni Doss and Clif Herrington.

There are those to whom special thanks go: Crystal Edens, Willene Brooks, Norene Bates, Rich and Lori, Pat, Brooke and Jody Murders, Terry and Tiffany Story, Harry and Sherylyn Bates, Racheal Newman, and Tiffany Doland.

The memorial service will be held at two o'clock on Thursday afternoon, September 17, 2009 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Pastor Harry Bates of the New Life Church, Maumelle, Arkansas officiating.

Visitation will be held an hour prior to service time, commencing at one o'clock.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Family Life Center of First Assembly of God Church, Hot Springs.

The family will be headquartered at 202 East San Mateo in Hot Springs.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com.