Milton William 'Bill' Cooper served in the Navy during Vietnam before immersing himself in UFO lore and government secrecy. He compiled classified rumors and personal revelations into the self-published 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, claiming secret deals with aliens and a global plot to enslave humanity.12
The Hour of the Time
From a studio in Arizona, Cooper broadcast his Hour of the Time radio program, railing against New World Order conspiracies and weaving UFO crash stories with anti-tax and militia rhetoric. His apocalyptic worldview blended ufology with extremism, earning a loyal following among patriot groups.34
Influence and Predictions
Cooper's writings circulated widely on early internet forums and at gun shows, shaping a generation of conspiracy theorists. He accused figures from Presidents to televangelists of serving secret masters and predicted catastrophic terror attacks on U.S. soil—warnings later cited by believers after September 11, 2001.56
Death in Eagar, Arizona
On 6 November 2001, Apache County sheriff's deputies attempted to arrest Cooper on aggravated assault charges. A gunfight outside his hilltop home left Cooper dead and one deputy wounded. His death cemented his martyr status among supporters and his legacy continues to influence UFO and patriot subcultures.78910