Billy Cooper Forrest

Billy Cooper Forrest, 93. of Panama City, FL passed away July 10, 2020. He was born in Donalsonville, GA, the son of Robert Eugene and Lena Hill Forrest. He was the fourth of five children who preceded him in death, Jesse Inez Forrest, Mozelle Forrest Anglin, Robert Forrest, and Wayne Forrest. A veteran of World War II, Cooper enlisted in the Army in 1943 and was honorably discharged in December of 1949. He served in Germany driving a 2 ½ ton truck. He carried a USO show all over Europe. The show was a play called “Three Men on a Horse.” Other assignments included hauling mail and supplies. Upon discharge from the army, he returned to Donalsonville where he met and married Elender Lucille Turner while he was working at the Dunn Theater. Married in 1950, Cooper and Elender raised a family and shared life until her passing in 1973. He later married Nina Jenkins who preceded him in death in 1993. During his lifetime Cooper worked in the vault business (Harvey Riley’s in Donalsonville and Ingram Memorial Vault Company in Panama City), retail ( a grocery store in St. Andrews, Colonial Grocery Store on Harrison Avenue, Gibson Discount Center—later to become West Brothers—as hard good manager). He also made deliveries with Hartz Mountain and finally deliveries for Cotton’s Produce where he worked until he retired. Cooper was a deacon at Westview Baptist Church and a member of the Masonic Lodge in St. Andrew. He is survived by three sons, Bobby (Patsy) Forrest, James (Phyllis) Forrest, and Randy (Terri) Forrest; four grandchildren, Sonya Forrest, Mary Elen Forrest, Michael Forrest, and Kelli Forrest; and two great grandchildren, Madison Forrest and Connor Forrest. He has always been good with his hands, working as a carpenter and laying brick, a skill he learned from his grandfather, E. Z. Hill. He was always willing to help with projects such as remodeling, roofing, plumbing, painting, and custom building of furniture. Cooper will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

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