Merlene Cochran Williams

Merlene Booth Frey Cochran Williams died at her home on July 7, 2011, with her two loving children and Jan Semrod by her side. She was a loving mother, a loyal friend, a strong woman, and, above all, a lady.

Merlene was born to Jacob and Elida Frey on February 15, 1916, in Derby, Kansas, with twin sister Marjorie Frey Geisendorf. Merlene was married to the love of her life, William Branson Cochran, on November 10, 1940. Mr. and Mrs. Cochran moved to Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1941, and then to Oklahoma City in 1944. During World War Two, she managed the West Nichols Hills Water Company and worked in a securities brokerage firm, the Small Milburn Company. Mr. Cochran was killed in an automobile accident in 1961. Merlene was the first female stock broker in Oklahoma at Stifel, Nicolaus & Company from 1965 to 1973. Merlene married Ira Williams on October 28, 1973, in a ceremony at the Private Chapel at the Marble Collegiate Church in New York City, in a service performed by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. Mr. Williams passed away in 1993.

Mrs. Williams was a member of the Oklahoma City Golf and Country Club, Nichols Hills Methodist Church, Oklahoma Art League, Lyric Theatre, Redbud Women’s Club, Twentieth Century Club, Reviewer’s Clique Book Club, Preface Book Club, Zoo Friends, Million Dollar Investment Club, National Cowboy Hall of Fame, Oklahoma Historical Society and Oklahoma City Museum of Art.

She is survived by her sister, Marjorie Geisendorf of Salina, Kansas, and her husband James; a son, Robert Marc Cochran of Nantucket, Massachusetts, and Jan Wood Semrod; a daughter, Karen Cochran Bloomfield of Houston, Texas, and husband Jim; grandchildren Kim Cochran of Norman, Oklahoma, and husband Mike Pierce; Chris Cochran and wife Mary of Dallas, Texas; Michael and Katie Bloomfield of Houston, Texas; and Emmy Rossum of Los Angeles, California; and great-grandchildren Ashley Womack of Norman, Oklahoma, and Grace Cochran of Dallas, Texas. She is also survived by Scott Howe, of Edmond, Oklahoma.

She is predeceased by her mother and father, Jake and Elida Frey of Wichita, Kansas; her brother, Dale Frey of Wichita, Kansas; her husbands William Branson Cochran and Ira Williams; and her son and daughter-in-law, William B. Cochran, Jr. and his wife, Kay.

The family of Mrs. Williams wishes to express appreciation to Ms. Dorothy Johnson, who has been a godsend during the experiences of the family; to Dr. Earl Elliot and his staff, as well as Lori Brasel, R.N., Lesha Canary and other staff members of Hospice of Oklahoma County, Inc., who provided wonderful care and insight during Mrs. Williams’ last days.

Contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to the Merlene Cochran Williams Memorial Scholarship Fund at the University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc., 100 Timberdell Road, Norman, OK 73019.

Arrangements under the direction of Hahn-Cook/Street & Draper Funeral Directors, Oklahoma City, OK.