Wilbur Frank "Bill" Cockrell Obituary (1936

Wilbur Frank "Bill" Cockrell age 82, of Bloomington IL passed away at 4:47 PM on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Martin Health Center, Bloomington, IL. A service celebrating his life will be 11:00 AM Friday, March 29. 2019 at the First Baptist Church 2502 E. College Ave, Bloomington, IL. Pastor Brian Hastings will be officiating. The family will receive friends after the celebration of life service in the church fellowship hall. Private family interment will be at Funks Grove Cemetery, McLean, IL. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the First Baptist Church Bloomington, IL or the Community Cancer Center, Normal, IL. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Bill was born July 1, 1936 in Birmingham, AL the son Charles Wilbur and Mary Frank Perry Cockrell. He married Carolyn A. Grant on October 16, 1959 in Fairfield, AL. She survives. Also surviving are his 2 sons, , Michael ( Gina ) Cockrell, Elmhurst, IL, David (Aurora) Cockrell, Huntington Beach, CA, 5 grandchildren, Ellen Cockrell, Elmhurst, IL, Malia Cockrell, Huntington Beach, CA, William Cockrell, Huntington Beach, CA, Jim (Sara) Norris, Washington, IL, Jon (Kari) Norris, Elburn, IL, 4 great-grandchildren,2 brothers, Robert (Cynatha) Cockrell, Kernersville, NC, John (Glenda) Cockrell, Cantonment, FL, 1 sister, Mildred Barnes, Birmingham, AL and 2 nephews and 2 nieces. Bill is preceded in death by his parents. Bill attended the University of Alabama, Birmingham. He served in the US Army for 6 months active duty and six years in the US Army Reserves. He had obtained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Bill worked at State Farm Insurance Company for 44 years. He started out as a file clerk in Birmingham AL and worked his way up through the ranks and retired as Assistant Vice President of Claims Automation and Procedures. He was on the board of Senior Professionals at Illinois State University. He was past president and member of the Bloomington Exchange Club. Bill also served on the board at the of the Parklands Foundation. He was a former Scoutmaster for Troop #91 and is a member of the First Baptist Church, Bloomington, IL where he served as Lay Moderator and was Chairman of the Board of Trustees and a Sunday School Teacher at the church. Bill was active in Habitat for Humanity. We will miss his stories and sense of humor. Bill was a lifelong mentor to everyone around him especially his two sons. The family would like to thank Martin Health Center and Dr. Pramern Sriratana and Dr. Eric Farinas for their kind and compassionate care. Bill was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather and brother. He will be missed by all who knew him. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com