William Bill Cockerham

William ""Bill"" Cockerham, journalist, writer, artist and good man, died Tuesday, (July 26). Bill had a rich, varied and exciting life, with stories that will be remembered and repeated for years to come. Besides sharing a birth date with Mark Twain, Winston Churchill, Abbie Hoffman and Betsy Tomlinson, his world-wide travels and adventures afforded him an opportunity to meet some of the greatest and most historic figures of our time. During his years at The Hartford Courant, his articles were enjoyed by readers around the world, yet his name was feared by those having anything to hide. Bill was kind, gentle and compassionate, yet stubborn, argumentative, and exasperating; intelligent, yet sometimes ""misinformed"". If Bill liked you, you were his friend forever and if not, you were toast. He remained true to his principles and retained an existential outlook on life. He will be sorely missed by his friends; his wife Susan; his children, Phaedra and Charles, their spouses Arturo and Pamela; his grandchildren, Pilar, Alexander and Asher; his siblings John, Gary, Kathy, Jim and their families; his in-laws Jeff, Ros, Marcia, Jim, Peg, Kat and Sarah, all of whom he dearly loved. He was sadly predeceased by too many friends and by his brothers David and Roy.

Always true to his beliefs, there will be no wake or funeral, but there will be a gathering in his honor Saturday afternoon, July 30, which we hope you will attend. Please inquire at Kenney's, the Mardi Gras or with his wife for additional information. For on line expressions of sympathy please visit www.desopo.com.