COCHRAN, W.O. Aug 11, 1919 – Apr 6, 2017

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PARIS, Ill. – W.O. "Bill" Cochran, 97, of Paris, passed away at 5:15 a.m. Thursday, April 6, 2017, at his residence. He was born Aug. 11, 1919, in Hindsboro, Ill., to William Earl Cochran and Mary Frances (Kirkendoll) Cochran. He married Maxine Brown on Feb. 10, 1940, in Henderson, Ky. Survivors include his wife, Maxine of Paris; his daughter, Kay Jones and her husband Larry of Cleveland; his son, Phillip D. Cochran of Paris and his companion Jane Feagans of Springfield, Ill.; three granddaughters, Kaprice Holloway and her husband Dave of Cleveland, Kelli Williams and her husband Doug of Aiken, S.C., and Lisa Dunn and her husband David of Bloomington, Ill.; six great-grandsons, Josh, Chris, and Nick Holloway, Alex Williams, and Brady and Drew Becker; a sister, Pauline England of Asheville, N.C.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by five brothers, Clarence, Ray, Caroll, W.E. Jr., and Bobby; a sister, Carolyn Caskey; and brothers-in-law, Forrest and Warren Brown. He became a member of Kansas Methodist Church in boyhood, where he was active in Boy Scouts. During World War II, he was a welder in Evansville, Ind., Ship Yard on Landing Ship Transport, and also at Newport. He established Cochran Fertilizer Sales which he operated until his retirement in 1982. He then had a small engine shop at his country home and spent winters in Florida before moving to Paris for final retirement in 1994. He was a charter member of the Vermilion Fire Department, served on Elbridge Township Board and Edgar County Fair Board, and was a member of Masonic Lodge 77 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Palestine Commandry, Ansar Shrine, Edgar County Shrine Club, and was a charter member of Ansar Motor Clowns. He pitched horseshoes on a traveling team during his stays in Florida and continued to pitch with the Paris group as long as his health allowed. He had a long and interesting life in various ways to include friends and family. He loved to plan fun weekend camp outs on Oak Hill at his country home, boating and camping weekends at Raccoon Lake, and motor home trips. He loved his three granddaughters and always had some special way to entertain them. Recalling those happy days and fun times in his later years rewarded him for all his efforts. Visitation for Mr. Cochran will be from 3 to 5 p.m.CDT Sunday, April 9, 2017, at Stewart and Carroll Funeral Home with Masonic services at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Monday, April 10, 2017, at the funeral home. Burial will follow in Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Edgar County Shrine Club. For further information and online condolences, please see: