William Mathew Cooney, Jr., age 92, passed peacefully from this world on June 19, 2015 in Carson Tahoe Hospital after a brief illness. Bill was born in Condon, Oregon July 20, 1922 to William Cooney, Sr., and Grace Walker Cooney. Bill spent his early years in Denio, Nevada. Bill’s family later moved to Lovelock and while living there he enlisted in the Army Corps of Engineers and served as First Sergeant of Island Command at Guadalcanal. After his tour of duty, Bill returned to Lovelock where he married the love of his life, Gloria Rodrigues on June 26, 1948. During their married life, they called Lovelock, Las Vegas, Battle Mountain and most recently Gardnerville their home.
Bill enjoyed golf, bowling, fishing and he was very passionate about hunting and driving his truck. Bill had a strong work ethic and enjoyed working in various jobs in the mining and trucking industry throughout his life. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Norberta Farnham, Leona Cannon; brothers John and Frank Cooney and grandson Jeffrey Cooney. He is survived by his sister Drucella McKinnon, sons David (Lynne), William Cooney III, daughters Janet Lufrano, Judy (Murray) Walker, 21 grandchildren, 36 1/2 great grandchildren and 6 great great grandchildren.
Viewing and visitation will be held Friday June 26, 2015 at 6PM at St. John The Baptist Catholic Church in Lovelock with recitation of the rosary at 7PM. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11am on Saturday June 27, 2015 also at the church. Burial will follow the mass at Lone Mountain cemetery with a celebration of life to follow at the Catholic Hall. Services are under the direction of Smith Family Funeral Home-Fallon-423-2255.
