William Dale “Bill” Cochran, age 92, lifelong resident of Fayette & Franklin Counties, died Saturday, June 16, 2018 from complications of dementia at Robin Run Health in Indianapolis where he had been a resident and under the devoted care of his daughter Donita K. Keidel.
Born May 13, 1926 in Connersville, Indiana to Fred B. & Jessie (Ashba) Cochran, he was preceded in death by his siblings, Virginia, Erma, Joanne and Robert.
He married Geraldine Mae Agnew in 1952, and helped raise & provide for children, Terry, Dennis, Donita, Fred and Robin.
He married again in 1976 to the former Nadine Canada, the mother of daughters Lois, Debbie, and Donna, and was blessed in this marriage until her death on November 7, 2010.
A veteran of the Korean War, he enlisted in the US Army in 1950 and served as a truck driver in the 45TH Infantry Division where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He was a lifetime member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, where he was past Commander.
Raised & schooled in Connersville, Indiana he began his work as a paper boy in youth, and after opting out of school after 10TH grade, he worked in local factories and as a milk truck driver.
After returning home from Korea he settled in the Casket industry first with Connersville Casket Company as a welder until its closing, then later at Brookville Franklin Casket Company, where he was supervisor and plant manager until his retirement.
Throughout his life he enjoyed many hobbies and pastimes, including Indian & Harley Davidson Motorcycles, but his real passion was engineering and tinkering with mechanical innovations.
Survivors include his daughter Donita (Jim) Keidel of Indianapolis, Indiana, three sons, Dennis (Connie) Cochran of Laurel, Indiana, Fred (David Scott) Cochran of Melbourne, Florida, and Terry (Pam) Cochran of Richmond, Indiana; step-children, Donna (Ted) Ertel, Debbie (John) McGuire, Lois (Glen) Hollowell, and Robin (Vickie) Beaty; grandchildren, Darrek (Amber) Cochran, Stephanie Lewis, Vince (Valerie) Cochran, Molly Cochran, Chris (Katrina) Keidel, Chris (Angel) Taylor, Ryan (Sabrina), Lisa (Will) Hudler, Kevin McGuire, Darren McGuire, Brent Ertel, Brandon Ertel, Katelyn Ertel, Aaron Beaty, Audra McGuire and several great-grandchildren.
Family & friends may visit from 9:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, June 23, 2018 at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home, 1025 Franklin Avenue, Brookville.
Pastor Perry Booso of the Brookville Church of Christ will officiate the Funeral Services on Saturday, June 23, 2018, 11:00 A.M., at Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home. Burial with full military graveside honors by the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion will follow in Dale Cemetery in Connersville, Indiana.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the Bernard Hurst Post #77 of the American Legion Firing Squad. Phillips & Meyers Funeral Home is honored to serve the Cochran family, to sign the online guest book or send personal condolences please visit www.phillipsandmeyers.com .