James Coker Obituary

I'm sending my condolences to the Coker family, sorry for your loss. Please find comfort in Gods word. Macy's 24:15

Prayer Shawls 4 Fallen Soldiers ([email protected]) is an organization with groups throughout the country who work to send handmade prayer shawls and/or lap robes to families who have lost a loved one while serving our country. Members of Trindle Spring Lutheran Church would like to extend our sincere sympathy and to honor your loved ones's sacrifice and memory by sending our prayers and comfort through a prayer gift which will be mailed to you. If you are interested, please contact me at [email protected] with the names and addresses of those who would like to receive one and which gift they would like to receive. We will send our gift as soon as possible. Also, if you know of any other families who are grieving the loss of a loved on who died while serving our country, please pass along my e-mail address. May God bless you and comfort you in the days ahead. Sincerely, Lynne

September 5, 2012
To the family of James W. Coker:
James gave the ultimate sacrifice and will be held in the hearts of Americans forever. I cannot and will not let our fallen heroes be forgotten. My deepest sympathy to you. "Some gave all."

I did not know "Will" Coker but wanted to offer my sorrow to his family for their loss. He seemed liked an incredible man from what I can read and a Good Servant to the Lord. Thank you Will Coker.

I am thinking of your family today--Memorial Day, 2012. I worked in the villages were he was killed. I will always remember his sacrifice.

After reading this guestbook it is obvious to me that Will touched so many the same as he touched me. He was an exceptional man whom I am proud to have served with. That week in September my dear friend Hanna called and woke me up in the middle of the night. Our last conversation only a few weeks before ...she was so excited to tell me that she had come across an acquaintance from Djibouti. She told me that she and Will had talked about me and how I should try to come to Afghanistan. It gave Hanna such comfort talking and visiting with someone that she hadn’t know well, but who had ties back to Djibouti also. Will had this gift of making the best out of not so ideal conditions. Hanna had just come from the memorial service held at her compound in Kabul. We talked about our good memories of this fine gentleman who gave so much to so many. May his memory help you though this difficult time as it has for us.

Mr. Ben, so sorry to hear about your brother. My prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.

I just received this note from Michael Kress, a friend of mine and I hope his words reach Will's family...Rick, you probably are not going to believe this, BUT... Will Coker was a good friend of mine over here in Djibouti. He was just the right person for ME to run into over here. I'm here to tell you that Will taught me how to pray and helped me to see that prayers are answered. I keep finding my heart in the Low Country and I wish I could be there today for his family. I'm celebrating Will and sharing his gift to me tomorrow in our chapel here at Camp Lemonnier. The one news articlel nailed it when it said, "he was never pushy". Will showed me the way. I know he would want me to keep going on the path he had showed me and not feel sorry. He knew he had a calling and I know now he is in peace. Please convey to his family that I am celebrating his life. What a kind man with a great gift. Mike in Djibouti.

I was so deeply saddened to hear of your loss. Will and I worked together for many years on the Air Force Base and I was proud to call him my friend. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you. I can only hope to one day see Will again and once more enjoy his company.

Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called children of God....Matthew 5:9

It is always sad to hear about the passing of someone you know, or have known. It has been a long time, but time has not blocked out the memories we had as class mates. To Will's loved ones, my deepest sympathy for their loss. May the Lord be with you all, and bless you, and bring understanding and peace.

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I knew Will for many many years as I grew up across the street from his mother. He was a kind person and I know he will be missed by all. May the power of the Lord's strength be with the family during this time of need. God Bless!

I can see your father coming up to the ball field. Jamie, you were such a cutie pie, Carrie and Lisa hung out with me in the bleachers keeping score. Your dad was a very special person, I'm glad for the time we spent together during those ball games.

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

I am blessed to have known, worked, and prayed with Mr. Coker during his time of employment at the Civil Engineering Squadron. Mr. Coker encouraged me through many trials and always let me know that "Jesus Is Lord". He not only spoke the word, but he was truly a living epistle read by men. I will always think of him as a "Soldier for the Lord" and always about His Father's Business...."

"Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake; for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven......Mathew 5:10

It was a blessing to have known Will, he will be missed!

May God continue to wrap you in His loving arms. I remember Will from his days owning Coker's Construction and building houses in Laurel Hill and other areas. He was a blessing to all the lives he touched. Please hang on to the wonderful memories of a life well lived.

May God bring you peace and comfort. I look forward to seeing Will again in our future home with the Lord.

Cindy Miller Navarro
GCHS, Class of '73

To Jamie and his family,
I am so deeply saddened to here of the news of your father. Please let me know if I can do anything for you or your family, I truly mean that. Your father was a good man and will be dearly missed. Such a honorable person. I wish your family healing and comfort. Peace be with all of you.
Shelby Davis
and family

My heart was saddened by the news of Will's untimely death. May he be at peace now and may you find comfort in your memories and loving thoughts of him!

My condolences to Will's family. I met Will many years ago at Catherdal of Praise and we became good friends. Will would always call me to see how I was doing and if I was okay. I feel privileged that I was able to speak to Will a week prior to his death and I will cherrish that moment. I will miss Will dearly, but I know he is in a better place and home with the Lord. Regina Cook (Summerville, SC)

I am so sorry to hear of the untimely passing of Will. I worked and trained with Will at Dupont in the 70's and 80's.
He will be missed!

Will was such a kind and thoughtful friend to me when we were classmates at Goose Creek High School. I worked in the guidance office during our senior year and Will (Willie!) would surprise me almost daily with candy-Chocolate Stars, my favorite! May God bless and comfort his family during their time of sorrow. Cecelia House Futo

Although a year behind Will in education, I remember him as being a kind person, one who was willing to do what was right. He will be missed but not forgotten....
D Love GCHS

I'd like to pass my condolences as a classmate of Will's at Goose Creek High School. He was a great boy and even greater man.

Brother Will was an example of a christian.He loved the Lord and didn't mind who knew it.He had been a God-send to me and my family that I will never forget.Will is not lost."To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."We know where Will is.Mother Loretta Tisdale,Moncks Corner,s.c.

I didn't know Will, but I did command the Afghanistan Engineer District from 2008 to 2009 and I know the kind of people that served with us. On behalf of all the soldiers, civilians and Afghans who served with the Corps in this conflict, we want you to know we think about you, the family members, every day. Colonel(Retired) Tom O'Donovan, US Army Corps of Engineers

I GLENDA BEHRENS WAS ONCE A NEIGHBOR OF MR. WILL AS ME AND MY FAMILY CALLED HIM. AND I CAN TRULY SAY HE WAS A VERY NICE MAN. MY DAUGHTER AND I VISITED HIM AT SOME TIMES ON FERRY STREET. JUST SITTING AROUND LAUGHING AND TALKING. ESPECIALLY WITH HIM TELLING US THE THINGS HE WAS GOING TO DO AT THE HOUSE. LIKE WHEN HE WANTED TO PAINT THE ROOM RED, AND WAS TELLING US HOW WE WOULD LIKE THE WAY IT WOULD LOOK. I DEBATED HIM ON THAT COLOR RED. BUT WHEN WE CAME BACK THE NEXT DAY. THE ROOM WAS RED AND PRETTY AT THAT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO THE FAMILY YOU HAVE MY HIGHEST SYMPATHY FROM ME AND MY FAMILY .GOD BLESS THIS FAMILY

God bless you Will.

Will came out on a mission trip to us in Burundi a few years back. He was gracious, humble, quiet and servant-hearted. I totally believe he would have died well, because his faith was unshakeable. He could have echoed the apostle Paul's 'for me to live is Christ, to die is gain'. His gain is his loved ones' loss, but may they know the same Comforter who motivated Will's whole life, and find rest in and peace in that.

My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.

Death is not Death But a New beginning where the True Journey Lays. The Strenght Of GOD is granted to Men such as Will and Courage is Infinite under the Lord . GOD is there to welcome his Soldier Home to watch over the Watchtowers to help the Lost be found. He is Truly Free.

My thoughts and deepest sypathys to his family. I also worked with Will in Djibouti and found him to be not only a mate but a very respected man to all those who new him. He will be missed.

I worked with Will at Djibouti Africa a great and kind man all ways there to assist others he will be dearly missedmy thoughts and prayers go out to your family
Liam Keane ( Michigan

“Will” was a wonderful man of God. My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this time. May your hearts be filled with wonderful memories of a life well lived.

I will never forget the spirit of this wonderful man of God. He truly knew his calling in the Kingdom and he walked in it. May God continue to be with his family whom he loved very much. The world was certainly blessed by his existence. He touched so many lives in so many ways and on so many levels. I cheerish the memories I have of him and our many encounters while working for the Lord.

Our most sincere condolences for your loss. Your entire family will be in our prayers. God Bless You All.
Berkeley High School Class of 1967
Brynda Randolph Huntley

Will was a dear friend, we worked together at Dupont. I will always cherish the friendship we shared. He went out of his way to help
others. My prayers go out to his children and family. Will I know you
are working or constructing a new project in heaven. God Bless you my friend.

I pray you find peace in your heart. Will's soul is with God. I am unable to attend family visitation or Will's funeral. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Coleman W. Dangerfield, Jr. BHS Class of 1967.

I know there are no words to say at this time, except how sorry that I am. I truly feel your loss and pain. My thoughts and prayers are with you always. James will never be forgotten.

For you every single soldier
Those who served so honorable
Your life was forever altered
While I’m home safe and free
I stand with grateful admiration
I stand respectful and so proud
I know I’m only a civilian
And I don’t even know if it’s allowed

But I salute you; allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
Even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
My humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.
I salute you.

For those missing in action;
for those who didn’t make it home.
I know you’re in God’s presence you are not alone.
For every neatly folded flag;
for every shattered family
I will do the only thing I know to dignify your memory.

I salute you, allow me the honor
to salute you with permission let me say
even though I hold no rank know that from my heart
my humble gratitude comes from the deepest part.

I salute you.

I Salute You.


Suzanne MacDaniel - A Proud Aunt
Colonie, NY
SGT. David M.Fisher
KIA 12/1/04 - Iraq

I worked with your Mr. Coker on base with CE and he was always with a smile and a treasure to be around. He will be forever looking over you from above, though I know you wish him here on earth. May your family find peace.

Thinking of your family through this time of grief. May his memory be eternal.
Stephanie Hall

God always knew you were his warrior even when you did not. Now I know why you were always such a busy person in life never a dull moment because your life would be cut short or so it would seem. We now know that God had a plan for your life to spread his word in life and in death. Will, you touched so many lives and have brought so many together to smile and laugh about the wonderful ways you brought joy to their days that will be so missed. Lisa, Jamie, and Carrie, Your dad always wanted the best for each of you and your families. He was proud of the adults you had become and knew he could say job well done. You were always the best he had known...Fatherhood. Love forever, Kelly

Will was a very sweet man always doing God's work. Take your rest Will in Jesus arms. You will be missed on this side.

I met Will when he attended Abundant Life at it's former location downtown. He had a heart for Gods' people, traveling to foreign lands to lend a helping hand.

Will shared some of his photos with me from one of his first trips to Africa.
Years later, those photos were used to help a young lady see how blessed she was. She was caught stealing clothes and was ashame of their home. The photos made such an impact on her until her opinion changed about her living conditions, she admitted how blessed she was.

Those few photos changed the life of someone who could have continued living a life of crime. Will and I rejoiced for her change of heart. I never got the chance to tell Will she is now a freshman in college and doing good things. Will has touched many lives in his life time. He has left a legacy and many memories. Most of all he displayed the love of the Lord.

Coker family, know that he is absent from the body but present with the Lord. I will always have a spot in my heart for him.

harold alston of the time i met will he was one nices man i ever met an i know hes with god so family be strong and make will happy hes made his journey to heaven love you will