Obituary of William Elston Cockrell

William Elston Cockrell Funeral Services for William Elston Cockrell of St. James, MO, formerly of Troy, MO, will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 26, 2011 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield, MO. Rev. Richard Turnbull of Winfield will officiate with burial in New Salem Cemetery near Winfield. Mr. Cockrell, 93, passed away early Monday, May 23, 2011. Born May 3, 1918 in Winfield, he was the son of William Howard and Lottie Elston Foxell Cockrell. He was a 1937 graduate of Winfield High School. He served his country during World War II and the Korean Conflict in the United States Army and was honorably discharged November 7, 1952 as a Master Sergeant. He was united in marriage on September 20, 1942 in Hannibal, MO to Mary Elizabeth Lindsey. This union was blessed with two children, Betty and James. He was employed for many years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture as a meat inspector. He later worked as a real estate agent for Gundaker Realtors. After 53 years of marriage, Mary passed away on March 26, 1996. Active in his community, he was a member of Bridgeton Lodge #80, AF&AM where he was honored this past year with a 70-year pin; Scottish Rite - Valley of St. Louis, Moolah Shrine, Moolah Shrine Guides, and was past Patron of Eastern Star, #266 in Bridgeton. He was married again on November 22, 1996 in St. John, MO to Mary Elizabeth Dailey Hornbeck. He was a longtime member of the Old Monroe American Legion Post but was currently a member of St. James American Legion Post, and the Eolia VFW Post. Mr. Cockrell was a member of the Foley Baptist Church. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Lottie Cockrell; one sister, Jesse May Bash; and his first wife, Mary Elizabeth Lindsey Cockrell. Survivors include his beloved wife of 14 years, Mary Cockrell of Troy; one son, James L. Cockrell and his wife, Joyce of Chesterfield, MO; one daughter, Betty G. Stacy and her husband, Orville J. of St. Joseph, MO; one step-son, Larry Porter and his wife, Liz of Winfield; and three step-daughters: Linda Vaughan and her husband, Don of Troy, Martha Dowd and her husband, Robert of Lake Ozark, MO and Marsha Grillo of Winfield. He also leaves four grandchildren, thirteen step-grandchildren, twenty-six great-grandchildren, one great, great-grandchild; several nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home near Winfield. Memorials may be made to the Missouri Veteran's Home in St. James in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Homes, 3838 East Highway 47; P.O. Box 253; Winfield, MO 63389. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.