William Edward (“Bill”) Cochran, Sr., 92, of Dunkirk passed away May 15, 2022 at his home surrounded by family.  Bill was born August 24, 1929 in Radford, Virginia to William Ernest and Alice (Fisher) Cochran.  Bill was raised in Radford, graduated from Radford High School and then went on to attend Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, during which he was drafted into the military.  Due to his educational achievements, Bill was provided the opportunity to select the branch of military he would serve and selected the United States Air Force.  Bill went on to have an extensive and decorated career in the Air Force, including serving as the radio operator on Air Force Two, flying around the world with Vice President Agnew, as well as being the first person nominated to hold the position of Head of the U.S. Presidential Aviation Command Center at Joint Base Andrews, a position he gladly accepted.  During his tenure in the Air Force, Bill and his family traveled to and lived in numerous destinations, including California, Hawaii, Mississippi, New York, South Carolina, Iran and South Korea; finally, ending at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland – the place he and his family would finally call ‘home’. After settling in Maryland and following his retirement from the Air Force, Bill commenced his second career as a police officer for the United States Capitol Police Department from which he retired in 1994 after another twenty years of service.  Bill was a man of deep faith, serving as a member of First Baptist Church of Upper Marlboro, where he held the roles of Deacon and Sunday school teacher.  He later became a member of Bayside Baptist Church in Chesapeake Beach.  In his spare time, Bill enjoyed gardening, genealogy, golfing and being outdoors.  Most of all, he loved spending time with his family.  William was a very well-respected man and will be missed greatly.

Bill was preceded in death by his wife Mary Jane and siblings, Louis, Sarah and Mickey Cochran.  He is survived by his children Pamela Whitlow (Bruce) of Rose Haven, Janet Farrell (Jack) of California, William Cochran, Jr. (Stephanie) of Fulton, and John Cochran (Cindy) of Dunkirk; grandchildren Jennifer Campbell (Bryan), Heather Crowley, Allison Farrell, Cambrie Cochran, John Cochran, Jr. and Kayley Cochran; six great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and brother Philip (“Colin”) Cochran (Dot) of Radford.