William Hill Cocke Jr.

William
Hill Cocke Jr.
HARLINGEN,TX.-
William Hill Cocke Jr. of Harlingen and Hunt Texas passed away Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at his home with his loving family at his side.
He was born December 1, 1928 in Mission, Texas to Francis Marion and William Hill Cocke Sr.
Hill was preceded in death by his beloved wife Joan Chaudoin Cocke, his parents and sister, Donald A. Cocke Smith. He survived by his beloved wife Marilyn W. Cocke, his brother James Robert and Joy Cocke, nine wonderful children Sandra C. and William S. McElwrath, William Hill (Bill) Cocke, Caroline C. and Jon A. Pitts, Catharine C. and Michael Carlson, and Mark L. and Mary Beth Williamson: thirteen fantastic grandchildren: Traylor and Christie Cobb, Loren and Peter Franckowiak, John Ashton Herring, Dallas Chaudoin Herring, William Alexander Herring, Cameron McKayla Carlson, Christopher James Carlson, Joseph Hill Cocke, Adam Lee Williamson, Ashley Lynn Williamson, Jonathan Andrew Pitts, Emily Ann Pitts, Lauren Elizabeth Pitts, and Nathaniel Wesley Pitts; two special great grandchildren, Gavyn Lee Cobb and Dallas Grace Franckowiak; and a brother-in-law, Seward Smith.
Hill graduated from Harlingen High School in May 1947; where he was president of the Student Council, Episcopal Young People, Hi-Y, Master Council of DeMolay, four year letterman in football and all Valley tackle.
Hill graduated from the University of Texas in August of 1951, with a B.B.A. degree in Industrial Management. While there he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity (Honorary Business) and Kappa Sigma Fraternity (Social), where he was Treasurer and House Manager. In 1984, he graduated from Harvard Business School's nine-week course ``Owner Management Program'. Hill served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1952-54, during the Korean Police Action. In 1954 he was honorably discharged; married and joined the family business, Valley Ready Mix Concrete Co., where he worked up to Vice-President and Assistant General Manager. In 1967 he left the Valley Ready Mix Concrete Co.; to go into business for himself; First as President of a printing/office/school supply company, and second as President of four business schools.
In 1970 Hill sold his interest in two companies and started Hilco, Inc. to manufacture fabric products. That same year he purchased a company in Harlingen that manufactured and sold fabric products to farmers in the Rio Grande Valley. In 1975 he purchased a company in Houston that manufactured and sold fabric products to truckers and industries in and around Houston. For twenty-seven years Hill broadened the product line and territory until Hilco was fabricating and selling agriculture, industrial, trucking, recreational, marine, hunting, and fishing fabric products through out the Southwest, Central, and South America.
During his lifetime he managed twelve different businesses, increasing profits in nine and closing three. In 1997 he sold his business and retired to the Texas Hill Country.
Hill made an effort to return what he received from his community by serving on thirty-two boards and committees of civic, corporate, religious, and trade organizations. Visitation hours will be held Friday, December 17, 2010 from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm with the family receiving friends from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in Heavenly Grace Funeral Home Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 18, 2010 @ 11:00 am in the First United Methodist Church with Reverend David Payne officiating. Burial will follow in Mont Meta Memorial Park in San Benito. Pallbearers will be Hill's sons, sons-in-law, and grandsons.
For those desiring to do so, memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church, Harlingen, Texas.
The family would like to thank all who helped care for Hill, especially Carlos Garza for his special care.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Heavenly Grace Funeral Home.
Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/Valleystar/Obituaries.asp
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