William Cochran

Mr. William Herman (Doc) Cochran, age 87, of 800 North Fifth Avenue, Rome, GA, died Saturday morning May 8, 2004, in a local hospital following an extended illness.Mr. Cochran was born in Floyd County, Georgia, April 16, 1917, son of the late William Nevil and Susie Green Cochran and had spent his entire life in Rome and Floyd County.He was a veteran of WW II, serving with the U S Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroic achievement in connection with military operations against the Japanese forces at Putlan, Luzon, and Philippine Islands. The official citation honored Cpl Cochran, a member of a howitzer battery which had received a direct hit from an enemy 150 mm projectile, fought to control the fire which had enveloped the gun pit. He did so armed only with a fire extinguisher and in the face of enemy artillery landing in the area and with the constant threat that several fused rounds of high explosive shells in the pit might explode, he continued to fight the fire until contents of the extinguisher were exhausted.Mr. Cochran was a member of the North Rome United Methodist Church and a volunteer with Rome Urban Ministries and had received numerous awards for being a volunteer. He had been a member of the City of Rome Fire Department for 40 years, retiring in 1981 as a Captain. He was married in 1946, to Margaret Lawson Cochran who preceded him in death June 23, 2003, and was also preceded in death by daughter, Roselle Lyons and by sisters Mary Lee Harper and Eva Lois Cochran. He enjoyed cooking and was an avid baseball fan.Survivors include; a daughter, Kathy Noe, of Newport News, VA, a son W. Lawson Cochran of Cedar Bluff, AL, grandchildren; April DeCoufle, Allan Camp, Bradley Cochran, Preston Noe and Chad Owen, great grandchildren Aidan and Elise Decoufle, several nieces, nephews, and cousins also survive.Funeral services for Mr. Cochran will be held Tuesday at 2:00 PM at the North Rome United Methodist Church with Rev. David McKinzie officiating. Interment will follow in the East View Cemetery with Rev. Norv Havens, conducting the graveside services.Active and Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Rome Fire Department and Fire Department Honor Guard. They are asked to meet at the Church at 1:40 PM Tuesday.Memorials may be made in honor of "Doc" to the North Rome United Methodist Church, 413 Perkins Street, Rome, GA, 30161.Please join Mr. Cochran's family in honoring his life by visiting www.jenningsfuneralhome.com to post tributes and share memories.The Heritage Chapel of the Jennings Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements for the services of Mr. William Herman (Doc) Cochran.