County of tree: St. Charles County
Location of tree: Veterans Memorial Park, Lake St. Louis
Erected by: Lake St. Louis Friends
Plaque Text:
LTC COOPER WILLIAMS
1/1/1935 - 1/3/2013
YOUR LSL FRIENDS
"I entered USC in 1953 and the Korean War draft was still in effect. I joined the USAF ROTC in hopes of getting a deferment until I finished my education. ROTC students were pretty sure to get deferments in their Jr. and Sr. years but not enough were available for all students. I got my draft notice in either my Fr. or Soph.(don't remember which year). The USAF Commandant (a Col.) lived around the corner on Duncan St. At my age I was pretty much in fear of a Colonel. I went to his home in the evening and rang his bell during the dinner hour. I told him of my plight. He invited me in and sat me down until he finished his dinner. I assure you, I had a case of the cold sweats! It felt like his dinner took at least 3 hrs. When he came back in he informed me that he knew your grandfather, told me I should know better than to call at dinnertime, took my draft notice and said he would take care of it! He did.
"I qualified to fly and actually took flight training in Columbia during my Sr year. About 2 months prior to graduation (Sen. John F. Kennedy was the speaker at my graduation in 1957), the USAF changed the obligation to 4 years for pilots and only two for ground Officers. I had no idea I would stay in for a career at that time.
"The Air Force responsibilities helped me mature, I believe, at a faster pace than I would have otherwise. By managing Officer's Clubs,I gained enough experience that enabled me to get the Gen. Managers position at two very prestigious civilian clubs for 18 years." ~ Cooper Williams, in Military History
Evans Cooper Williams
January 1, 1935 — January 3, 2013
Williams, Evans Cooper, of Lake St. Louis, Missouri, died on Thursday, January 3, 2013 at the age of 78. Loving husband of Barbara Williams (nee: Tucci); beloved son of the late Wyman and Lorraine Williams; devoted father of Sharon (Richard, Sr.) Andell, Robin (the late Don) Wingate, Kelly Sansom, Alaine (Jeff) Brewer, Kim (David) Moore, Jeff (Debbie) Mohr, and Michael (Brenda) Mohr; cherished grandfather of Stacy, Richard, Jr., Stephanie, Elaine, Donald, Christy, Shawn, Nicole, Kayla, Haily, Jen, Nicholas, Alyssa, Molly, Megan, Blake, Dylan, Rek, Derrick, Luke, Zachary, Bradley, Sarah, and Sydney; treasured great-grandfather of Carson, Keller, and Peregrine; dear brother of Leland (Cornelia) Williams; honored friend of Ellison and Elizabeth Smith; brother-in-law of Sarah Williams. He is preceded in death by his brother Loren Williams. Evans served in the Air Force for more than 20 years retiring a Lt. Colonel he also managed the Officers Clubs. For many years he was the General Manager of Westwood Country Club as well as the General Manager of the Missouri Athletic Club. He was a member of Living Lord Lutheran Church, VFW Post 10350, Pontooners of Lake St. Louis, Lake St. Louis Thursday Night Cookout, Lake St. Louis Anglers, and Lake St. Louis Sailing Club. He was an avid sports fan, especially St. Louis Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, and South Carolina Gamecocks. He was a graduate of the University of South Carolina. He loved ping-pong, darts, pool, reading and exercising. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Wounded Warriors or VFW Post 10350." ~ Baue Funeral Home