William "Bill" Lee Cochran

William (Bill) Lee Cochran went home to be with his Lord Jesus on April 30, 2026. Bill was born on July 28, 1941, in Bellingham WA, to Gladys and William Cochran of Ferndale. Bill attended school in Ferndale and graduated from Ferndale High School in 1959.

Bill joined the U.S. Navy after high school and trained as a helicopter mechanic, and was assigned to Naval Air Station Whidbey Island, where he was part of the U.S. Navy Search & Rescue helicopter crew serving the northwest region. After the Navy, Bill was one of the original team members who traveled to France to train and return to start up Intalco Corporation in Ferndale in the early 1960s. Bill also served as the General Manager for Black Mountain Ranch in Kendall WA. Bill culminated his work career, retiring from Whatcom Community College as the facilities director in 2004.

Bill was an avid and lifelong fisherman and outdoorsman, a culminating experience was summiting of Mt. Baker, following in the footsteps of his grandfather William Cochran, who climbed the mountain 39 times. Bill and Diane enjoyed traveling and traveled to Europe multiply times, along with short term church missions supporting Wycliffe Bible Translators in Guatemala, with Bill traveling there 5 times.

Bill is survived by his loving wife Diane of 62 years, whom he met on a blind date while serving in the Navy. He is also survived by his son Jerry Cochran, and his wife Nella Cochran of Pasco WA, and his daughter Sheri Gerritsen, and her husband John Gerritsen of Everson WA. Bill also has three grandchildren, Kendra Gerritsen, Brenden Cochran, and Chelsya Cochran. Bill is also survived by his brother Bob Cochran and his wife Jackie, along with numerous other Unick and Cochran relatives.

Bill and Diane were part of the church family at Calvary Chapel Northwest where celebration of life services will be held on June 13, 2026, at 1:00PM. Calvary Chapel is located at 6015 Guide Meridian Rd, Bellingham, WA 98226. https://calvarynw.com/