William Henry Cochran

On March 23, 1934, James Hardy Cochran and his wife, Mattie Lucile(MattieJay) welcomed their third son into the world - William Henry(Boe). Boe's childhood was mostly spent in North Perry where he graduated 6th grade. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Navy with his parents' permission in 1951.

Boe decided Navy life was not for him, so when his 4 years was up, he joined the Air Force and stayed there until 1980. Throughout his Air Force enlistments, he continued his education until he had earned 2 Bachelor's Degrees, one in education and the second in engineering. During his Air Force career Boe was a Jet Mechanic, Flight Engineer on a C-5, Flight Engineer Instructor and Deputy Fire Chief. After 30 years of Service Chief Master Sergeant William Henry Cochran retired from the Military with several Military metals and honors including the Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster. Boe was only 46. (Not bad for a 6th grade dropout). Boe did not stay retired, he went to work at Beachcraft in Selma and then with the United States Postal Service, Selma and Tuscaloosa offices. After working 13 more years he finally retired for good.

William Henry Cochran was proud of the four children he helped raise: Sara Rene and William Perry are the children from first marriage to Sara Thomas. When Boe married Gunievere(Guin) Fogle, she had 2 small children, 4 year of Sylvia Lynn and 2 year old Bruce Clyde. The love among these four people was so strong that Boe adopted both kids. Guin also had 2 grown kids, Claudia Strothman and Jeffery Fogle (deceased).

William Henry Cochran is preceded in death by his wife, Guin Cochran of47 years, his parents, James Hardy Cochran and Mattie Lucile (Mattie Jay) Washburn Cochran, brothers, James Oliver Cochran, John Thomas Cochran(JT) and Robert Gray Cochran(Bobby). Surviving children are Sara Rene Cochran Crocker(Michael) of Uniontown, AL; William Perry Cochran(Debbie) of Bossier City, LA; Sylvia Lynn Cochran Coleman(Ricky) of Prattville, AL; Bruce Clyde Cochran of Huntsville, AL and Claudia Strothman(Tom). Grandchildren, Justin Coleman(Ashley), Brandon Cochran, Alexandria(Alex) Cochran, Selena Cochran, Manual Cochran, Eric Strothman and Chris Stothman; 1 great grand.

At the age of 85, William Henry Cochran went to be with the Lord and his Loving Wife, Guin, of July 7, 2019 at Vaughn Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL.

Military graveside service will be at the Alabama National Cemetery on Wednesday, July 10, 2019 at 2:45 PM in Montevallo, AL. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 9, 2019 at Siloam Baptist Church in Marion, AL from 3 to 4 PM.