Bill was born January 29, 1953, in Raymond, WA, the oldest of five children born to Lyle and Charlotte Cook. His family lived in several communities throughout Washington and Oregon before eventually settling in Idaho. He graduated from Nampa High School in 1970 and immediately answered the call to serve his country by enlisting in the United States Marine Corps.
Bill made the Marine Corps a career, serving until his retirement in 1992. During his military service, he began pursuing his college education and completed courses at several institutions. Following his retirement from the Corps, he enrolled at Boise State University, where he earned a Bachelor’s in Special Education in 2000. His commitment to education continued, and in 2004 he earned a Master’s degree from Harvard University.
Bill married Dee Hoffman in January 1974, and he was the father of two children.
Although Bill's Masonic journey began comparatively later in his life, the years that followed were marked by remarkable dedication and service. He became a Master Mason in Elmore Lodge No. 3 in Mountain Home in 2010. He quickly became active and served as Worshipful Master in 2015 and 2016.
His service to the York Rite began in earnest in 2016. That year, Bill joined Mountain Home Chapter No. 24, Royal Arch Masons; Idaho Council No. 1, Cryptic Masons; and Idaho Commandery No. 1, Knights Templar.
In Capitular Masonry, Bill served Mountain Home Chapter No. 24 as High Priest in both 2019 and 2023. His devotion to Royal Arch Masonry eventually carried him to the highest office of the Grand Chapter. At the time of his passing, Bill was serving the Companions of Idaho as Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Idaho.
His service to Cryptic Masonry was equally distinguished. Bill served as Illustrious Master of Idaho Council No. 1 in 2021 and subsequently served the jurisdiction as Most Illustrious Grand Master of the Grand Council of Cryptic Masons of Idaho.
Within the Knights Templar, Bill served as Eminent Commander of Idaho Commandery No. 1 in 2022. He continued his service in the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Idaho and, at the time of his passing, was serving as Eminent Grand Captain General.
Bill was a Past Sovereign of St. Michael Conclave, Red Cross of Constantine; Warden of Regalia of the Idaho Chapter, Sovereign Order of Knights Preceptor; Warder of Idaho Priory No. 13, Knights of the York Cross of Honour; a member of Redemption Tabernacle No. XL, Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests; a member of Tri-Valley College No. 178, York Rite Sovereign College of North America; Chairman of the Board for Friendship Rainbow Assembly No. 9 of the International Order of the Rainbow for Girls in Washington and Idaho; and a Past Royal Patron of Emerald Court in Mountain Home and a Past Grand Royal Patron of the Grand Court, Order of the Amaranth of Idaho.
His service did not go unnoticed. In 2021, Bill received the Youth Leadership Award, recognizing his dedication to supporting and encouraging young people. In 2023, he received the Distinguished Service Medal in Bronze, further recognizing a record of Masonic service that had already touched Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Commanderies, and allied bodies throughout Idaho.
Bill’s sixteen years as a Mason reflect a recurring theme of service to the Craft and a willingness to accept responsibility whenever his Brethren and Companions called upon him. His passing leaves an empty chair in more than one Masonic body and a vacancy that extends far beyond the offices he held. Idaho Masonry has lost a dedicated Brother. His earthly labors are now finished, and his working tools have been laid aside.
Funeral services will be held on October 10th.
No comments:
Post a Comment