With deep Love, we announce the unexpected passing of William “Bill” Cockerham. A devoted husband, brother, father, grandfather & friend, who went to meet his Lord & Saviour on Friday, July 17, 2026, at the age of 75 years old. He will be remembered for his integrity, loyalty, and steady Love.
Bill was the Loving husband of Kathleen “Kathy” DeBruin Cockerham, married on August 21, 2021. He was born on March 14, 1951, to the late Arnold W. Cockerham, Jr. and Ollie Ruth Rye Cockerham. His legacy of kindness and devotion will continue in the lives of all who Loved him.
Bill was born in Shreveport, LA and spent his first 10 years there before the family moved to Denton, TX in 1961. They lived there until 1964 when his mother was transferred by FDA to New Orleans, LA. and then transferred to Washington D.C. He returned to New Orleans to finish high school at Mid Cities Baptist High School in 1968. He served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps for 4 years in Germany, and was proud of the discipline, friendship, and purpose he found during those years. After his military service, he soon moved back to the DFW area where he resided until his passing.
The Signal Corps taught Bill the skills he needed for his Information Technology career. He was the manager of the Executive Support Dept of Electronic Data Systems for many years. After EDS was sold, he worked as a Project/Program Manager with corporations in the DFW area including Bank of America and Citigroup in Plano.
Bill was the family Handyman! He had the ability to repair and fix things just like his father and grandfather. He retiled his home, repaired his pool and rebuilt a damaged cherry- red1984 Chevy Corvette, and shared his knowledge of cars with his son, Jacob. For Bill, his greatest interests were in his family and their activities, his Love of music, and tracing his family roots back to 1624 when the Cockerham’s landed in early Virginia.
Bill is survived by his Wife Kathy; Daughter Tara Rocca Roberts of San Angelo, TX; Son Jacob Cockerham and wife McKenna, Flower Mound, TX; Sister Carole McMeel, Plano, TX, Brother-in-law John Mahn, Tyler, TX; Nephew Phillip Stokes and wife MikkiLynne Stokes, Princeton, TX; Neice Juli Anne Simms and husband James, Plano, TX; Great-nephews Lane Harrison Stokes, Ft, Worth, TX and Haydon Kelsey Stokes, N. Richland Hills, TX, In addition are Son-in-law Matthew DeBruin, wife Ashley and children Ryan, Everett and Clark, Lake Forest, IL; Son-in-law Miles DeBruin, wife Kyndal and children Jack, Ira and Evelyn, Denton, TX.
Bill was preceded in death by previous wife Pamela Cockerham and both parents Arnold and Ruth Cockerham.
Memorial and Interment will be at a ceremony at Dallas National Cemetery, later date to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the American Heart Association.
The family is grateful for the kindness and support shown during this time.