Willie Foster Cotter (abt. 1881 - 1953)

Born about 1 Feb 1881 in Alabama, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Audra Hortense (Brown) Cotter — married 25 Jan 1914 in Coffee, Alabama, United States

Died 9 Feb 1953 at about age 72 in Enterprise, Coffee, Alabama, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Nelda Spires [send private message]

Biography

Willie Cotter is one of twins.

Willie engaged in farming in Coffee County, Alabama.

Willie Foster "Foss" Cotter was born on 01 February 1881 in Alabama. Different sources recorded different years for his birth. It was recorded as 1882 on the 1900 United States Census. It was recorded as 1881 on his World War I Draft Registration Card.^[1] It was recorded as 1880 in his Alabama Death Record index at FamilySearch (which also incorrectly indexed him as a female; an examination of the actual death certificate would be needed to know how it was recorded there.)^[2]

He was the son of George A. Cotter (abt.1846-1925) and L. Elizabeth (Battles) Cotter (abt.1855-1932). He was the twin of Wilburn Walter Cotter (1882-1946).

1900 United States Census, Enumeration District 52, Precinct 12, Centerville, Coffee County, Alabama: The year of Willie's birth may have been incorrectly recorded in this census record.^[3]

1910 United States Census, Enumeration District 60, Centerville, Coffee County, Alabama:^[4]

He was married to Audra Brown on 25 January 1914 in Coffee County, Alabama.^[5] They were the parents of at least nine children.

Willie Foster Cotter completed his World War I Draft Registration Card on 12 September 1918. He was residing at that time in Ariton, Dale County, Alabama. He named Audra Cotter as his nearest relative. He was self-employed in farming. He was physically described as short, stout, with light hair and brown eyes.^[1]

1920 United States Census, Enumeration District 61, Centerville, Coffee County, Alabama:^[6]

1930 United States Census, Enumeration District 1, Oldtown, Coffee County, Alabama: (Incorrectly indexed as "Coller" at FamilySearch with no way to submit edit to correct.)^[7]

1940 United States Census, Enumeration District 20-27, Green Bay, Covington County, Alabama: This is the only record found on which his given name is recorded as William.^[8]

1950 United States Census, Montezuma, Covington County, Alabama:^[9]

Willie Foster Cotter died on 09 February 1953 in Enterprise, Coffee County, Alabama.^[2] He was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Opp, Covington County, Alabama.^[10][11][12]

Known children:

1. Cecil Hobson Cotter (1914 - 2004)^[13]
2. Rufus Bradford Cotter (1916 - 1985)
3. Willie Keith Cotter (1918 - 2003)^[14]
4. Ouida G. Cotter m. Cooper (1921 - 1950)^[15]
5. Bonnie Cloe Cotter m. Deal (1923 - 2012)^[16]
6. Mary Tom Cotter m Harrelson (1925 - 2006)
7. James Wesley Cotter (1928-2022)
8. Betty Sue Cotter m. Hester (1931 - 1950)^[17]
9. Verlon Grant Cotter (1934-2022)

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} "United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K3P6-7CB : 13 March 2018), Willie Foster Cotter, 1917-1918; citing Coffee County, Alabama, United States, NARA microfilm publication M1509 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,509,370.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1} "Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6X7-85S : 15 February 2018), Willie Foster Cottor, 09 Feb 1953; citing reference 2539, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1,908,876.
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1900"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T623; Line: 84; Digital film/folder number: 004119973; Image number: 777; Sheet number: 2; Sheet letter: B
   FamilySearch Record: M98W-SC3 (accessed 1 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: S3HY-6XSR-7G
   Willie Cotter (18), single son, in household of George Cotter (55) in Haw Ridge, Coffee, Alabama, United States. Born in Alabama.
4. ↑ "United States Census, 1910"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T624; Digital film/folder number: 004970180; FHL microfilm: 1374020; Image number: 1104; Sheet number: 2; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03321-4
   FamilySearch Record: MKQQ-CWX (accessed 1 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9RVG-W5P
   Foster Cotter (27), single son, in household of George Cotter (65) in Centerville, Coffee, Alabama, United States. Born in Alabama.
5. ↑ Hathaway, Warrine Sheppard, Coffee County, Alabama Marriage Records, Enterprise, Alabama, 1907-1933, Elba, Alabama, 1877-1930, 1998. (Mobile Public Library)
6. ↑ "United States Census, 1920"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T625; Line: 25; Digital film/folder number: 004964190; FHL microfilm: 1820008; Image number: 861; Sheet number: 9; Sheet letter: A; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N01874-9
   FamilySearch Record: MXZ7-2RP (accessed 1 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R6Y-4Q5
   W Foster Cotter (38), married head of household in Election Precinct 12 Centerville, Coffee, Alabama, United States. Born in Alabama.
7. ↑ "United States Census, 1930"
   citing Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: T626; Line: 82; Digital film/folder number: 004949977; FHL microfilm: 2339743; Image number: 293; Sheet number: 5; Sheet letter: B; Packet letter: A; Indexing batch: N03727-4
   FamilySearch Record: 36TB-MZM (accessed 1 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR44-4QC
   W F Coller (49), married head of household in Election Precinct 1 Oldtown, Coffee, Alabama, United States. Born in Alabama.
8. ↑ "United States Census, 1940"
   citing Affiliate Publication Number: T627; Line: 21; Digital film/folder number: 005454712; Image number: 283; Sheet number: 1; Sheet letter: A
   FamilySearch Record: V1LR-DGD (accessed 1 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QSQ-G9MT-MW6N
   William F Cotter (59), married head of household in Election Precinct 13 Green Bay, Covington, Alabama, United States. Born in Alabama.
9. ↑ "United States 1950 Census"
   citing Page: 9; Line: 19; Digital film/folder number: 109015048; Image number: 10
   FamilySearch Record: 6F7K-NH8K (accessed 1 February 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QHJ-5QHW-Y9S2-6
   W F Cotter (69), married head of household in Montezuma, Covington, Alabama, United States. Born in Alabama.
10. ↑ "Willie Foster Cotter Dies in Enterprise Hospital," The Opp News (Opp, Alabama), 26 Feb 1953, p. 1, col. 3; image copy, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com: accessed 25 Jan 2021).
11. ↑ "Funeral Services Held for Willie F. Cotter," The Enterprise Ledger (Enterprise, Alabama), 20 Feb 1953, p. 14. col. 8; image copy, Newspapers.com (http://www.newspapers.com: accessed 25 Jan 2021).
12. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images : accessed 14 July 2019), memorial page for Willie F. Cotter (1 Feb 1881–9 Feb 1953), Find A Grave: Memorial #142002453, citing Hickory Grove Cemetery, Opp, Covington County, Alabama, USA ; Maintained by Rick & Kat (contributor 47170017).
13. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QG1H-S9JH : 28 November 2018), Willie Foster Cotter in entry for Cecil Hobson Cotter and Mildred Ham, 8 Dec 1986; citing Montgomery, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,893,893.
14. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q216-7YT7 : 28 November 2018), W F Cotter in entry for Willie K Cotter and Sara Frances Maddox, 07 Sep 1946; citing Election Precinct 29 Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,892,570.
15. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2D3-GNJY : 28 November 2018), Willie Foster Cotter in entry for Herbert Joseph Cooper and Onida Cotter, 03 Jan 1947; citing Enterprise, Chilton, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,892,584.
16. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q218-DWLK : 28 November 2018), Foster Cotter in entry for Shelby Lopez Deal and Bonnie Cloe Cotter, 05 Oct 1940; citing Election Precinct 29 Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,877,269.
17. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q216-863H : 28 November 2018), W F Cotter in entry for James A Hester and Betty Sue Cotter, 16 Jul 1949; citing Election Precinct 29 Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,892,639.

Additional Sources:

• Shelley, Peggy Jean White, “Bradford Cotter Family,” The Heritage of Coffee County, Alabama, compiled by Coffee County Heritage Book Committee, Anne Wise Hood, Chairman, Heritage Publishing Consultants, Inc., Clanton, Alabama, 2002, page 163-164. (Copy in the Personal Library of Nelda Gilchrist Spires).
• White, Jesse W., Cotter Family, 1999. (Copy in the Personal Library of Nelda Gilchrist Spires).