James Wilburn Cooper

James "Bill" Cooper, 94, of Port Arthur, Texas passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at Methodist St. John Hospital in Friendswood, Texas. James was born February 3, 1921 in Hillsboro, Texas to Augusta and Ella Cooper. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Port Arthur, and the Lakeview Volunteer Fire Department. James worked for Gulf Oil Corporation and retired after 33 years. James enlisted in the U.S. Army 111th Engineering Division in February 1939. He then transferred to the 108th Engineering Division in October 1942 where he remained until October of 1951. In December 1951 he enlisted in the 36th Infantry Division of the Texas National Guard where he retired in September 1975 as a Chief Warrant Officer (CW-2). During his military service he received the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 2 Bronze Stars; the Philippine Libertarian Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star; American Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal. James was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Vivian Cooper, his parents, three sisters and two brothers. Survivors include four daughters, Ellen Lackey (Bill) of Conroe, TX, Billie Risinger (Ferron) of Carriere, MS, Dorothy Tantillo of Friendswood, TX, Karen Cappel (Ogden)of Prairieville, LA; eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, five great-great grandchildren; and one brother, Robert Cooper of Pasadena, TX. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m., Monday, August 24, 2015 at Levingston Funeral Home in Groves with Dr. Jim Hamilton officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Sunday evening from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. at the funeral home.