Bennie William Cooley Sr.

Bennie William Cooley, 87 of Roberts, Idaho beloved father and grandfather passed away June 23, 2016. Bennie was born on September 28, 1928, in Twin Falls, Idaho to James and Carrie (Thorpe) Cooley. He attended school in Buhl, Jerome, and Boise, Idaho. He was the youngest of five children. He met the love of his life, Billie Jean Huddleston, while living in California. It was love at first sight as Bennie proposed to Billie the same night they met. They were married January 24, 1951, and shared 59 wonderful years together raising their family before Billie’s death on October 24, 2010. In September 1950 at the age of 22, Bennie was drafted into the Army and was stationed in Ft. Ord, California. He served two years including time in Korea. He was awarded the Korean Service Medal with two bronze service stars and a United States ROK Service Medal Presidential Unit Citation. Bennie was a sheep shearer by trade. He joined the Union in 1947 at the age of 19. He tied wool and sheared for various people before starting his own business in 1959. The business began as a 3 man crew and increased throughout the years to 8 men. Bennie retired in 1990 from sheep shearing and his sons Terry, Bobby and Jim carried on the family business. He received an honorary award in November 2004 from the Idaho Wool Growers Association in appreciation of his long time commitment, dedication and service to the Idaho Sheep Industry. Throughout his life he also worked at various other jobs including grain and corn harvest, school bus driver, road construction (he helped build the road over Galena Summit in Idaho), hydraulic jack repair, painter, and helping his sons in their logging business. Bennie loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He enjoyed salmon fishing and for many years would take a full month off in the summer to spend time pursuing his passion and spending time with his family. He spent many days each fall hiking or riding his motorcycle throughout Southeastern Idaho to bag elk, deer or antelope to feed his large family. He also enjoyed golfing and water skiing and playing pinnacle. He was a loving father and grandfather and left a legacy. He was blessed with six children: Randy (Wylma) Cooley of Roberts; James (Linda) Cooley of Roberts; Terry (Denise) Cooley of Roberts; Bobby (Diana) Cooley of Rigby, Wanita (David) Hutchison of Idaho Falls; and Bennie Jr. (Connie) Cooley of Idaho Falls. He was blessed with 20 grandchildren and 43 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his loving wife, parents, 1 brother, 3 sisters, grandson, and great-granddaughter. Funeral services will be held Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at the Eckersell Funeral Home in Rigby, Idaho with interment at the Market Lake Cemetery in Roberts. The family will visit with family and friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. There will be a celebration of his life at the home of his son Terry in Roberts following the interment. The family asks for any donations to be sent to Hospice of Eastern Idaho, 1810 Moran Street, Idaho Falls, ID 83401.