William Cope Obituary

William Gale "Bill" Cope - age 84, was born in Caney Fork, North Carolina on October 19th, 1940 and passed away on July 18, 2025. Bill served in the US Army from 1959 until 1989. He retired as a Sergeant Major at the University of Kansas ROTC Department. During his military career he spent two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 25th Division and the 24th Division, earning a Bronze Star for his heroism on the battlefield. In 1989, instead of retiring he went to work for the Kansas Turnpike Authority until 1994. He then returned to the University of Kansas ROTC Department in a civil service capacity, finally retiring in 2004. Bill truly loved his family and his country. He was a true patriot. Bill was preceded in death by his father, Eras J. Cope; mother, Beulah S Cope; brothers, Aubry "Buck" Cope, James "Pete" Cope, Dale Cope (Bill's twin brother) and Jim Cope; and sisters, Colleen Tolley, Libby Hampton, Sue Pruitt, and Kathy Furr. He is survived by his wife, Sue Cope; one brother, Darrell Cope of North Carolina; children, Gary Cope, Trish Cope, and Brandi McCormick; the mother of his children, Dawn Cope; son-in-law, Travis McCormick; grandchildren, Hailey Baker, Jace McCormick and Camron McCormick; many nieces and nephews in North Carolina, Connecticut, Virginia Montana and Kansas; and Sue's children, Donna Moore and Tony Amos. Family and friends will meet at 12:15 PM on Thursday, July 24, 2025 at East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery for a 12:30 PM Graveside Service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Bill's honor to the Wounded Warrior Project. Arrangements by Bridges Funeral Home, 5430 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN 37924. 865-523-4999 www.bridgesfuneralhome.com