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 marriedAugust 24, 1957 to Elizabeth “Betty” Cooper whom he met while attending college, marrying after their Junior
year. After graduation, the couple lived in Devon, PAfor many years where they raised their family. Subsequent moves to
Skaneateles, NY; St. Louis, MO and Harrisonburg, VAfollowed.
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 daughtersAnn Begemann and husband John,
of Rockingham, VAand 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-granddaughterAnnabelle Sorensen; several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 64 years Betty and his sister, Cornelia Daley.
ACelebration of Life will be held at 2 PM Thursday, December 7, 2023 at the Kyger Funeral Home, 3173 Spotswood Trail,
Rockingham VA. The family will receive friends after the Celebration.