Passed away on October 28th, 2023.
William Watts Cochran, Jr, 88, of Rockingham, VA, passed away Saturday, Oct 28, 2023, at Bellaire at Stone Port.
He was born in New York, NY, on February 10, 1935, and was the son of the late William Watts Cochran and Mary (Vanderpool) Cochran. Bill grew up in Morristown, NJ and attended South Kent School before attending Colby College in Waterville, ME.
Bill was married August 24, 1957 to Elizabeth “Betty” Cooper whom he met while attending college, marrying after their Junior year. After graduation, the couple lived in Devon, PA for many years where they raised their family. Subsequent moves to Skaneateles, NY; St. Louis, MO and Harrisonburg, VA followed.
Bill worked as a salesman with American Can Company covering South Jersey and Eastern Pennsylvania. Bill was very involved in the Episcopal Church serving on Vestry and National Stewardship committees. He was a supporter of the ordination of women priests in the early 1970s. He was well known for his quick wit and fondness for a good practical joke.
After retirement and his move to Skaneateles, he truly enjoyed spending the summers at his and Betty’s summer cottage on Skaneateles Lake (“Teasel Hill”) making the long trek from St. Louis twenty straight summers. Known to family and close friends as Ding, he enjoyed the summer golf league and piloting his party boat for everyone to enjoy.
Surviving are his sister Lois Marshall and husband Wayne, of Whitefish, MT; two daughters Ann Begemann and husband John, of Rockingham, VA and Catherine Warner and husband Cameron, of Lake Wales, FL; grandchildren Paul Begemann and wife Katy of Milwaukee WI, Diane Begemann and husband Ross Guffey of Lexington KY, Cameron (Duncan) Warner and wife Kathryn of Charlotte NC, Helen and husband Matt Sorensen of Charlottesville VA, and Libbie Warner of Philadelphia PA; great-grandson Jackson Begemann; great-granddaughter Annabelle Sorensen; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years Betty and his sister, Cornelia Daley.
Memorial contributions may be made to Skaneateles Lake Association, PO Box 862, Skaneateles, NY 13152.