Billy K. Cooper

Billy. K. Cooper was called home on Sept. 22, 2016. He was born on July 23, 1933 near Melbourne, Ark., in Izard County. He was preceded in death by his parents Troy and Nona Cooper, his first wife Dorothy, son Craig, and step-daughter Phyllis Chenowith. He is survived by his wife Madeline and stepson Dr. Lon Chenowith, step daughter-in-law Kay, three step-grandchildren Malachi, Nathanael, and Karis, and three step great-grandsons: Isaiah, Isaac, and Gabriel. Billy graduated from University of Arkansas with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1955 and was selected outstanding graduate in civil engineering. He was recruited by the Arkansas State Highway Department [now the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department] and started his career in June 1955. After working one year in planning, he was awarded a national fellowship to attend Purdue University and received his Master's degree in Civil Engineering Transportation Planning. He returned to the Arkansas State Highway Department in July 1957. The National Interstate and Defense Highway Program was just beginning. Billy was the only engineer to work on the mammoth program from planning the location through the state, selecting location of interchanges and frontage roads, and design and construction of the original allotted mileage. Ark. was the first state to complete its original interstate system. Billy was involved from the beginning to end. He retired from the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department in 1987 with 33 years service including 18 years as Chief Engineer. He was the youngest engineer to be appointed to this position and served longer than anyone. Later he served as a consultant to Howard, Needles, Tammen and Bergendoff Architects and Engineers Planners, a major engineering firm, for 10 years. He worked with Congressman Wilbur Mills on securing federal funding for I-630 and I-440, and with Congressman John Paul Hammerschmidt on numerous projects. Billy received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Purdue University in 1973. He served as chairman of many national highway committees, including design, truck size and weight, traffic engineering and pavement design. He testified before both state and federal governments on highway needs and funding. Billy served 20 years on the Baptist Hospital Board of Trustees and 40 years on the Corporation. He was a deacon at Balboa Baptist Church in Hot Springs Village. He loved to hunt, fish and play golf. Memorial gifts may be given to Balboa Baptist Church, 415 Ponce de Leon Drive, Hot Springs Village, Ark. 71909 or the Baptist Health Medical Center, 9601 Baptist Health Drive, Little Rock, Ark. 72205. There will be a private graveside service in Little Rock. Personal Note from the Step Son: This has been one of those milepost days for me. The man that walked into my family's life (my Mom, sister and mine) 49 years ago has passed over the river Jordan. He taught me the things dads teach their sons: a work ethic, hunting, fishing, how to treat a lady, and even how to share Christ. He supported my call to the Gospel ministry and always encouraged me through thick and thin. He was a professional engineer that saw success with the Arkansas Highway and Transportation Department as Chief Engineer, served as a Sunday School teacher, deacon and church leader. The most remarkable thing for me was that he took on two children not his own and raised them. He hailed from the mountains where blood is thick, yet he overcame that and still loved us. He had many other accomplishments, but the ones that matter are that he loved my mother and feared the Lord so that he was ready to take that step into eternity this morning. We visited 3 weeks ago. He recounted his days as a semi-pro baseball player winning the state tournament, early family life (he lost his first wife and son in an auto accident), his salvation story, and his career. I am thankful, though the tears roll like a hot stream, and I give the Father in heaven heartfelt praise for His goodness and grace in life. Billy K. Cooper taught me more than I can say, but most of all, that the answers to life are found in the Bible and the Lord can get us through whatever comes in this life—and he rescued me from dress shops and taught me to love the great outdoors! Lon Chenowith, Forest City, N.C. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to CedarVale Funeral Home Hot Springs Village.