Willie Foster Cook was born August 8, 1933, in Ozark Alabama to Roy Cook and Noma Bell Paramore Cook. The Cook family moved to Opp when they were recruited by J.L. Channel for employment at Opp & Mico- las Mills in August of 1941. Willie graduated from Opp High School in 1951 and served in the United States Navy during the Korean Conflict. After returning home he worked in the Micolas Mill while attending Troy State College.
Willie married the love of his life, Betty Jo Wilkerson and they had four children: Debbie, Danny, Donna, and Dennis. The Cooks also have seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren, with one on the way. Willie, a former Bobcat football player, has one “claim to fame” that lasted over thirty-five years; he was the Voice of the Opp Bobcats in Channel Lee Stadium. Willie did the Public Address announcing for the Opp football team until 2002. Many fans through the years commented on how good of a job he did and how pleasing to hear someone as complimentary of the opposing players and fans. He was dedicated to the task and never received any pay for his services other than a thank you. To this day, you can still see Willie on the sidelines of many Bobcat football games, as well as basketball and baseball. His love for watching children and teens play sports continues. After serving in the United States Navy, he received his Teaching Certificate at Troy University. He worked as manager of the Opp- Micolas Credit Union in Opp for several years before joining the teaching profession at the Opp City Schools where he worked at South Highlands Elementary school. From there he moved to Opp High School where he served as Coordinator of Trade and Industrial Education until his retirement in 1995. Willie carried students to many National Contests sponsored by the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA) while serving as the T&I Coordinator.
Prior to teaching and serving as the Credit Union manager, he was employed in the Business Office at Jack Graves Chevrolet of Opp. He also worked with the Opp Rescue Squad and coached the Little League Baseball Team Red Sox. He was a member of the Opp Lions Club, Opp Bobcat Booster, Opp Education Association – Insurance Committee, Opp Trail Masters, and Alabama Vocational Association.
Willie’s unselfish giving of his time and talent also extended out into the community. Willie loves his church, Westview Baptist. Over the years, he has served in every capacity including Deacon, Chairman of the Deacons, Pastoral search committee, Interim Choir Director, Sunday School Superintendent, Sunday School teacher, Training Union Director, Training Union teacher, Brotherhood, choir member, Treasurer, Royal Ambassador counselor, and as needed on a variety of standing committees.
As a professional, Willie was directly responsible for the Opp Micolas Credit Union growing into the strong entity it is today. While serving as the Vocational Industrial Education Coordinator at Opp High School his peers were impressed with his work. The Alabama State Department of Education selected Willie to represent his fellow professionals as their representative on the committee developing the State Course of Study and State Study Guides for vocational education. He also served on both State and National Skills Contest Committees for the Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. He was on many Southern Association Committees and National Vocational review teams to evaluate area schools and programs. Many students remember him fondly as ‘helping them get their first job through the vocational program, which was often the start of their future career’.
Willie has always been involved in community activities and is dedicated to the well-being of Opp. His unselfish service over the years has been a direct reflection of his philosophy that we should all give something back. This is evidenced by his willingness to serve with young people or local community members. Willie represents the best of Opp – honest, dedicated, and unselfish in both his time and talents. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2014.
