Bill Masters

Funeral Services for Mr. Billy "Bill" Darrell Masters, age 77, of Cookeville, will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, June 2 at Stevens Street Baptist Church with Dr. Tim Frank officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Shipley Cemetery. The family will receive friends Wednesday from 5 - 8 p.m. at Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home and again Thursday from 11 - 1 p.m. at the church. Mr. Masters passed away Sunday afternoon, May 29, 2016 at Cookeville Regional Medical Center. He was born December 14, 1938 in Cookeville to the late William Monroe Masters and Margaret Eula Wassom Masters Stewart. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his step-father, Willie Sanford Stewart and his wife, Frances Virginia Gaw Masters. Bill married Virginia on June 22, 1957 and loved her and his family dearly. His first jobs were at the local bowling alley and both the Princess and Strand Theaters. He joined the Navy in 1955 and served eight years. Upon returning to Cookeville, he worked for his father-in-law, Rid Gaw, owned a restaurant, and worked in bread delivery. In the early sixties, he worked for WHUB and WPTN radio stations. In 1965, Bill began working as a clerk in the Cookeville office of the US Postal Service. He retired as Postmaster of the Gainesboro office in 1992. Bill served in several clubs including his children's school PTA and PTO. He served as Putnam County Commissioner. He was a member of VFW Post 6296 and American Legion Post 46. He was a square dancer, craft maker, farmer, and dabbled in many other things. But most of all Bill was a Christian. He was a member of Stevens Street Baptist Church, where he served the church in many capacities including deacon and teacher. Bill was instrumental in several of his friends and family becoming Christians. He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law, Melissa and Jack Massa of Sparta; son, Brett Darrell Masters of Cookeville; five grandchildren, Jacob Corey (wife Stacey) Masters, Kaitlea Taylor Masters, Jay, Angie, and Emma Grace Massa; three great-grandchildren, Andrew and Megan Harness, and Tucker Jack Massa; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Charles and Marilyn Masters of Cookeville, Harold and Diana Stewart of Bowling Green, KY, Robert and Brenda Stewart of Granville, TN, and Rick and Dimple Stewart of Cookeville; sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Bobby Bowers of Greenville, TN; and life long friends Jim and Margie Copeland of Cookeville. Pallbearers will be Randy Masters, Marty Masters, Brad Arnold, Jere Michael Gentry, Jacob Corey Masters, Jackie Rector, Dennis Gaw, and Bob Robbins. Memorial contributions may be made to Stevens Street Baptist Church, 327 West Stevens Street, Cookeville, TN 38501. Hooper Huddleston and Horner Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. (931)526-6111 You may share your thoughts and memories at www.hhhfunerals.com.