Name of “John Cook” from hand-drawn ‘Billing’ tree in Muriel Leo’s (nee Oliver, 1917-1998) collection.

Date of death from Rahoutu Cemetery, West Taranaki, Records:
Same plot. 32.
In loving memory of EMMA JANE beloved wife of Thomas John BILLING, died 21st March 1914 aged 52 years; also THOMAS JOHN beloved husband of the above, who was killed in the Ongarue railway accident 6th July 1923 aged 77 years. EMMA LILLIAN, daughter of Thomas and Jane, died 21st September 1967; also JOHN COOK, husband of the above, died 20th May 1968. FREDERICK R. BILLING, youngest son, who was killed in action in France 16th November 1916 aged 21 years; ERNEST ALFRED (M.M.), 4th son, who died of wounds in France 12th April 1918 aged 27 years.

Year and country of marriage from search on New Zealand BDM website in November 2018:
1923/6403. Bride: Emma Lillian Billing. Groom: John Cook

Full date of marriage of 26 December 1923 from further searching in November 2018 on BDM Search by incrementally changing the date range for the marriage.

No definitive record of birth could be found on the New Zealand BDM website as at November 2018. There are too many “John Cook”s.

Record found in February 2019 of Waikumete Cemetery Cremations 1968, page 266:
30718 COOK John 85 yrs died 17.5.1968 23 Mt. Smart Road, Onehunga, Bootmaker, Cremated 20.5.1968 Scattered 21.5.1968
[Brian of nzolivers asks is this our John Cook]?

New Zealand Electoral Roll - Onehunga Main Roll 1963, found in February 2019:
Cook, John, 23 Mt. Smart Rd, SE5, Retired
Cook, Emma Lillian, 23 Mt. Smart Rd, SE5, Married [Wife]

NOTE: The address of John and Emma in the above Electoral Roll is the same as the Waikumete Cemetery Cremations records, therefore the same John Cook. Brian of nzolivers believes that John and wife Emma were cremated and ashes scattered, with the records at Rahoutu Cemetery, West Taranaki is a memorial to them.

The date of death has been changed here from 20th May 1968 to 17th May 1968 as per the Waikumete Cemetery Cremations records. This also matches the record of death found on the New Zealand BDM site in February 2019:

Country of death, estimated year of birth, from death search on New Zealand BDM website in February 2019:
1968/32413. Cook, John, died age 85Y [Therefore born circa 1883]

Full date of death of 17 May 1968 confirmed from further searching in February 2019 on BDM Search by incrementally changing the date range for the death.