Bruce Edward "Cookie" Willett, 82, passed away peacefully at home on his birthday, January 12, 2026.

Cookie was born on January 12, 1944, in Buffalo, New York, to Floyd and Dorothy Willett. In the early 1950s, the Willett family moved west, eventually settling in Williams and Red Lake, Arizona, where Cookie was raised. He graduated from Williams High School in 1962 and went on to attend Western State College in Gunnison, Colorado, on a football scholarship. After two years, he returned to Arizona and completed his teaching degree at Northern Arizona University.

Cookie began his career teaching shop class in Williams before becoming a deputy sheriff for Coconino County. After a few years in law enforcement, he purchased a Chevron gas station, later expanding to a second station in Cameron, Arizona. His entrepreneurial spirit led him into cattle brokerage, and eventually to ranching in Northern Arizona, for 15 years before retiring.

Never one to stay idle, Cookie later owned and operated a sawmill, providing lumber to local ranchers and businesses. He also enjoyed building custom furniture and picnic tables. A true outdoorsman, Cookie loved hunting, fishing, and spending time in the wide-open spaces he called home.

Cookie was married to Sandy for 36 years, before their marriage ended. together they raised two sons, Dean and Donnie.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Dorothy Willett, and his brother, Dean Willett.

He is survived by his two sons, Dean (Deandra) Willett and Donnie (Sonia) Willett. Dean and Deandra have three children, Daniel, Kacey, and Jessica, and two grandchildren, Bentley and Colt. Donnie and Sonia have three children: Cuv (Mandi), Kyle (Ariel), and Kori. Cuv and Mandi have three children, Matyx, Huxley, and Brixlyn. Kyle and Ariel have four children, Taya, Daphne, Vera, and Radley. He is also survived by his brother, Floyd "Bud" (Bonnie) Willett and his sister, Christine.

A celebration of life will be held on April 11, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the Sultana Theater in Williams, Arizona.

In honor of Cookie, family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, enjoy a cold one, and remember the ornery cowboy and loyal friend he was.