ATHENS, Ohio – William S. Cooley, 93, of Athens, died early Monday morning, April 13, 2026, at his home. Born November 11, 1932 in Athens County, he was the son of the late Darl Cooley and Mary Tippie Cooley.
He was a 1950 graduate of Shade High School. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force, a veteran of the Korean conflict. He was a graduate of Hobart Welding School, a member of the Operating Engineers, working for the Ohio Pipeline for over eleven years, a local business owner, farmer (cattle and trees) and retired from Carper’s Nursery with over twenty years of service. He attended Bates United Methodist Church and was a member of Paramuthia Lodge 25 F&AM, Scottish Rite Valley of Cambridge, Aladdin Temple Shrine and the Athens County Shrine Club. He was an avid reader and history buff. He enjoyed his daily trips to the Lodi General Store to meet with the breakfast group.
Bill is survived by a sister, Sherry D. (Larry C.) Coon; a sister in law, Marilyn Sue Cooley; many nieces and nephews; and special friends Dona Collins, Ruth Cooley Morris, and the Robert Hawk family of Hemlock Grove.
Besides his parents he is preceded in death by Joan Gwinn Cooley, his wife of fifty years; two brothers, Royce D. Cooley and Richard “Chad” Cooley; and a sister-in-law, Jane Cooley.
A graveside service will be conducted 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, at Bates Cemetery, 4682 Pleasant Hill Rd., Athens with Pastor Debbie Brookins officiating. The U.S. Air Force will conduct Funeral Honors and Paramuthia Lodge 25 F&AM will hold Masonic Rites both at the cemetery. Arrangements are with Jagers & Sons Funeral Home, Athens. Please share a memory, a note of condolence or sign the online register at www.jagersfuneralhome.com.
Special thanks to Cawley Hospice and Shiela Guthrie for their help during his final days.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Bates Cemetery Association, c/o Patti Brickles, 5759 Pleasant Hill Rd., Athens, OH 45701.