Billy Ray Cook

Billy Ray Cook, age 66, of Sylva died Tuesday, December 13, 2011 at home in Sylva. Mr. Cook was born September 29, 1945 in Buncombe County, NC. He is the son of the late Marcus and Eva (Jenkins) Cook. He was preceded in death by a sister and brother and two grandchildren. He served in the US Army and was a former police officer in Highlands, NC. He was a retired emergency dispatcher for Jackson County. He is survived by his wife: Mary (Dills) Cook; two stepsons James Clawson and Ben Clawson of Sylva; a stepdaughter Teresa Clawson Bradley of Whittier; three brothers Carl and John Cook of Idaho and Sherrill Cook of AL; one sister Eileen Cash of Gaston, AL and six grandchildren. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM Saturday December 17, 2011 in the chapel of Appalachian Funeral Services with the Rev. Carl Step and Rev. Carl Adams officiating. Burial will follow in the Cook Family cemetery with graveside rites conducted by the Emergency Services Honor Guard. The family will receive friends Friday December 16, 2011 from 6:00 until 8:00 PM at Appalachian Funeral services in Sylva. Pallbearers will be Ricky, Charlie, and David Cook, Lee Burns, Mickey Dills, Dillon Clawson and Honorary Pallbearer, Evan Clawson. A online registry is provided at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com . .