William Alton Cottingham

Dec. 9, 1937 - Feb. 13, 2012

William Alton "Bill" Cottingham, 74, of Sarasota, formerly of Statesboro, Ga. died Feb. 13, 2012.

Services will be 10 a.m. Friday at Faith Presbyterian Church.

He was always smiling and never met a stranger. His greatest joys in life were his loving wife, children, grandchildren and dog, Sophie. He never missed a ballgame, graduation, soccer game, dance competition or any other activity that involved his grandchildren.

He was a member of Faith Church where he was an usher and greeter.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Ruby Mae and father, Lewis Palmer; sister and brother in-law, Tony and Betty Canastra.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Cottingham. His three daughters, Melissa Eckles (Danny) of Jacksonville, Fla.; Ashley Almand (Ronald) of Savannah, Ga.; and Amy Cottingham of Richmond Hill, Ga. His precious grandchildren, Blake Miles, Tyler and Anslee Almand; Savannah Neuman, Landon Snowberger and Will Eckles. He is survived by his sisters, Doris Housefield (Bill), Linda Stevens (Steve), mother and father-in-law, Mary and Ed O'Mara, brother-in-law, Bill O'Mara (Kieron), and his first wife Darlyn Lagergren (Jim) and his many loving nieces and nephews.

Donations in his memory may be made to Faith Presbyterian Church, 1201 North Beneva Road, Sarasota, FL 34232, or also Southeastern Guide Dogs, 4210 77 Street East, Palmetto, FL 34221.

Arrangements under the direction of Palms - Robarts Funeral Home & Memorial Park, Sarasota, FL.