Kenneth William "Bill" Cook

Bill Cook 72, life time resident of Osawatomie, Kansas, passed surrounded by family on April 26, 2023.   Bill was the oldest of two sons born to Kenneth and Glena (Wilcox) Cook in Ottawa, KS. He was baptized in the First Baptist Church and attended the First United Methodist Church in Osawatomie. Bill’s first job was working for Willis Birchard and Larry Brown at the Funeral Home. Growing up, he enjoyed playing baseball on what would be his future father-in-law’s (Don Lindsey Sr.) team, the DeMolay’s.  Bill enjoyed working summers at the activity center as life guard and doing various jobs at the State Hospital. Bill graduated from Osawatomie High School with the Class of 1968. He played drums in high school and was drummer for the Coachman Band. Bill received several medals with the high school debate team. He attended Emporia State University and received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and upon graduation became the first Juvenile Probation Officer for Miami County.  Bill became a Locomotive Engineer for the Missouri Pacific/Union Pacific Railroad and retired after 36 years.

Bill enjoyed attending many Calling All Girls events, several Job’s Daughters Christmas Formals, and DeMolay New Year’s Eve parties with his sweetheart, Pam Lindsey. On August 22, 1971, Bill and Pam were married at the United Methodist Church. They have been together for 51 wonderful years. Bill and Pam made their home in Osawatomie, where they raised their children Tracie, Brian, Brad, and Erin.

Bill had a great love of travel. He took his family every summer on a four week vacation showing his children God’s beautiful country. Glacier, Yellowstone, and Yosemite National Parks, the Oregon Coast, and the Canadian Rockies, were just a few of his favorites. Bill looked forward to spending his winters with Pam in Surprise, Arizona, enjoying all his friends at Sunflower RV Resort. He had such a great time attending the Kansas City Royals Baseball Spring Training. Bill was a huge sports fan, whether it was cheering on his children, grandchildren, or the Kansas City Chiefs; it didn’t matter he loved it all!

Bill was the “Ultimate Family Man.”  He loved to host family gatherings and always made the holidays so special. Bill loved to serve everyone from behind the bar making sure everyone had a tea or lemonade to drink. Nothing made him happier than to have everyone all together laughing. Bill created many family traditions that made the holidays so special. We played games and sang Christmas Carols while he played the guitar.  Even though he made the joys of the holiday season so fun, he always made sure we knew the “True Meaning” of why we celebrate. Bill took such pride in being a husband, father, uncle, and papa. His grandchildren all adored him and loved spending time with him. We will all miss his love, quick wit, and fun sense of humor.

Bill was a 45 year member of Osage Valley Lodge 24 AF & AM in Osawatomie and was selected outstanding DeMolay “Degree of Chevalier.”

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Robert Cook, and son Brad Cook.

He is survived by his wife Pam Cook, daughter Tracie (Damon) Mulligan of Olathe KS, son Brian (Alicia) Cook of Gardner, KS, daughter Erin (Trenton) Buchman of Gardner, KS, 6 grandchildren Makinley, Grant, and Gracelynn Cook, Kaiya Mulligan, Tyson and Trey Buchman, many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Memorials are to the 1st United Methodist Church of Osawatomie or Children's Mercy Hospital send c/o Eddy-Birchard P.O. Box 430 Osawatomie, KS 66064.