William Cockroft's Obituary
William “Bill” Scott Cockroft, Sr., owner of Colco Fine Woods in Memphis, TN, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on June 7, 2010. Bill was born on October 3, 1922 in Memphis, TN at the original Baptist Hospital. He was the son of James Cicero Pericles Cockroft and Jessie Childress Cockroft. He grew up in South Memphis and graduated from Southside High School. He served as a Lieutenant JG in the United States Navy aboard an LST-461 during WWII. He attended Louisiana State University and graduated with a degree in Forestry. With the love he had for forestry and the vision of the things that could be created, he went on to build a successful business in hardwoods. In 1953, he married his beautiful bride Gladys Carpenter, whom he has loved for 56 wonderful years. Bill has been a loving father to their daughters Angee Hughes of Los Angeles, CA and Kay Cockroft of Eads, TN, and their son William Scott Cockroft, Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Bartlett, TN. He has been lovingly referred to as “Dandy Bill” by his six grandchildren; Kassie Collins, Kelly Cockroft, James Cockroft, Lyndsey Stewart, Jessie Stewart and Don Hughes. Bill has lived an incredibly strong and active life enjoying drumming, swimming, biking, running, golfing, and handball. He competed in the Memphis In May Triathlon and Senior Olympics. He won a Bronze Medal for the breaststroke event at the 2009 National Senior Olympics. In addition to his hobbies and interests, Bill has been an exemplary leader in his church and community. He was a member of Germantown Baptist Church where he served as a deacon and trustee. He also served as a trustee for Union University and Baptist Hospital. He was involved with Boys Town, The Gideons International, and the Memphis Rotary Club. Bill was closely involved with the Lumberman’s Club of Memphis, having served as President. He was also chosen as Lumberman of the Year. He served on the Building Committee for the headquarters of the National Hardwood Lumber Association. As a young boy, Bill participated in Boy Scouts and continued to support that organization as an adult and instill a love for scouts in his grandson. Bill had an incredible love for all people. Everyone who knew him loved the stories and jokes he would tell. His life brought such joy to this world and he will be sorely missed by all who knew him. Bill was predeceased by his father, who died when he was six years old, his mother, and his brother, James Lee Cockroft. He is survived by his wife, children, grandchildren, his sister Natalie Cockroft Ragon of Jackson, TN, and his brother Robert Stansul Cockroft of Baltimore, MD. The visitation will be held 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Thursday, June 10, at Memorial Park Funeral Home. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 11, also at Memorial Park Funeral Home. Interment will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Memphis Union Mission, P.O. Box 330, Memphis TN 38101.
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