Billy Dean Cook

Billy Dean Cook, age 77, of Belle, passed away Wednesday, April 19, 2023, at the University Hospital in Columbia.

Billy was born April 9, 1946, in Summerfield, a son to the late George and Dorothy (Walker) Cook.

Billy was a lifelong area resident and a 1964 graduate of Belle High School. He was a member of the Faith Baptist Church in Belle where he was baptized 3 weeks ago. Billy had been employed at Kingsford for 41 years before retiring.

Billy enjoyed going on trail rides and riding horses when he was younger. He liked being outside, gardening, mowing the grass or messing with all the animals at the farm. His faith in God was strong and he read his bible often. Billy played the guitar and the banjo and loved going to the local jam sessions and playing at Gasconade Manor for the residents there. He liked to travel and, along with his companion Shelby, visited many different places through the years. Billy was a good-hearted man who enjoyed helping others in need and he will be missed tremendously by his family, friends, and his community.

He is survived by: two sons, Tracy Cook of Belle and Mark Vaughn of Cooper Hill; two daughters, Tina Palmer and her husband Frank of Ringwood, OK and Debbie Voss of Goltry, Ok; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; one brother, Greg Cook of Belle; two sisters, Cora Steen of Summerfield and Brenda Martin of Vienna; his longtime companion and loving friend, Shelby Michel of Belle; and his first wife Lela Cook as well as many nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by one son, Rick Vaughn and siblings, Verlee Steen, Gene Cook, Delmar Cook, Bob Cook, Roger Cook, and Barbara Hollandsworth.  

A memorial visitation for Billy will be held on Saturday, May 6, 2023 at the Faith Baptist Church in Belle fron 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Memorial services will follow at 11:00 a.m. with Tim Redmond officiating. Interment will be in the Skaggs Chapel Cemetery.

Expressions of sympathy may be made to the Skaggs Chapel Cemetery fund.