John William Cook, 94, of Huntsville, Crabbs Prairie, Texas, passed away on February 8, 2026.

William was born August 7, 1931, in Crabbs Prairie to John William Cook and Nona Fails. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Doyce Cook, sister Ruby Thomas and a loving wife of 65 years, Verla Faye Stewart Cook. He is survived by his 3 children, son, John Wayne Cook and wife Kathy of Huntsville, daughter Dr. Lynne Voskamp and husband Carl of Bandera, daughter Patricia Farnholtz and husband Joseph of Crockett. William was blessed with 7 grandchildren. Toni Fisseler and husband T.J. of Willis, John William Cook III of Cleveland, Lisa Blevins and husband Dr. John Blevins of Willis, Terri Slayden and husband Jimmy of Midland, David Cook of San Marcos, Matthew Shoemaker and wife Josephine of Lovelady and Colleen Sherouse and husband Jake of Lockhart, Adam Farnholtz and Dr. Camille Singh of Litchfield Park, Arizona, Sarah Busby and husband Alex of Hockley. Great grandchildren, John William Cook IV, Clayton and Bella Cook, Cori Hall and husband Ryker, Regan Jones and husband Wyatt, Kyle Fisseler and Stephanie, Luke and Elizabeth Blevins, Megan Slayden, Dylan Graves, Adrianna Shoemaker, Coleman Sherouse and Theodore, Ava and Nicholas Busby. Great-great grandchildren include Ainsley and Cullen Hall, Ellie Jones, Oliver and Kash Fisseler, and Mariana Cook.

William is also survived by one brother, Kenneth Cook of Huntsville and one sister, Mary Lois Owen of West, Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews.

William started school in Crabbs Prairie and eventually Huntsville High School where he graduated in 1950. While in school he was a member of the FFA and through the years he participated in the Fatstock Show and Rodeo in Houston ultimately winning Grand Champion with a Jersey Heifer. William met the love of his life, Verla Faye Stewart of Riverside, and married September 25, 1954, at the Methodist Church in Riverside, Texas.

During his life he had numerous jobs and businesses, service station, ice cream drive in, small hamburger joint, record store and TV repair shop.
In 1971, William started to work for Lee College as a radio and TV repair instructor at the TDC Ferguson unit teaching inmates. After 9 years there, he transferred to the TDC Wynne Unit where he worked for 9 more years. He retired in 1991.

William and Verla raised their family on Hill Street in Riverside. They lived in the house where Verla was born. There probably was not an antenna around there that William and Verla did not put up. When your tv, radio and record player broke you took it to William for repair. William was a kind, gentle soul who would help anyone. Upon retirement William and Verla moved from Riverside to Crabbs Prairie on Hwy 75 North in Huntsville. After moving to Crabbs Prairie he eventually changed his church membership from Riverside Baptist to the Cook Springs Baptist Church. The church sits on land originally donated by the Cook Family. William continued after the move to Crabbs Prairie to assist in the care of his mother, Nona Fails Cook, until her death at the age of 95. Cook Ranch was founded in 1835.  William and Verla raised cows, many being longhorns. William is a direct
decedent of William Alston Cook, who was one of the original settlers of the State of Texas, before 1835.

William had a passion for fishing and hunting. He looked forward to his gardens each year and would produce enough to feed several families. Both William and Verla loved playing the slots in Louisiana and would make trips there often. William was also known affectionately as Bill, Dad, Sonny and Pop. He had a great sense of humor and told many jokes. His memory was great and had so many stories to tell anyone who would sit and listen.

Graveside services to be held at Riverside Pioneer Cemetery on February 11, 2026 at 11:00 a.m.

Pallbearers are John Will Cook, David Wayne Cook, Matthew Shoemaker, TJ Fisseler, Dr. John Blevins and Jacob Sherouse.

Special thanks to Hayleigh Davis, a long time sitter for Mr. Cook. Thank you to all those who have assisted Mr. Cook over the last few years.