William J. Cochrane III

Escondido, California - William J. Cochrane III, 67, suffered the ravages of Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy (PSP), a neuro-degenerative disease, for many years until his peaceful passing on April 13, 2021 in Escondido, California, where he was surrounded by the love of his wife Charlene, his three sisters-Peg, Deb, and Pam, and his sister-in-law Gwen. With amazing inner strength, over time he endured the loss of his motor skills, then his ability to talk, and finally his ability to swallow, while his mind remained strong.

Born in Providence, RI, Bill was the son of the late William J. and Marjorie H. Cochrane.  Bill was raised in Warwick and Cumberland, RI. 

Bill leaves his wife Charlene Young of Oceanside, California, and her extended family; his sisters, Margaret (Peg) Chatellier, and her husband Peter, of Cranston, Deborah Scott, and her husband John, of Cumberland and Pamela Guida of Seminole, Florida. He also leaves several nieces and nephews, Jennifer Petrocelli and Heather Scott of Rhode Island, Kate Chatellier of Massachusetts, Rachel Fodor of Texas, and Lauren Zoltowski of Florida, Jason Patras of Ohio, and Jeffrey Chatellier of Bali, Indonesia. He was also a great uncle to Addison, Riley, Taylor, Saraswati, and Avery.  In addition, Bill leaves four cousins,  Jana Cushman of California; James Goodrum of New Hampshire, Carol Goodrum of Vermont, and Donald Goodrum of Vermont.

Bill was a 1972 graduate of Cumberland High School and a 1976 graduate of Bryant University. After his first job as an area sales supervisor for Narragansett Food Service Inc., a subsidiary of Cumberland Farms, Bill moved to California and settled in San Jose.  For over thirty years, Bill built a career in supply chain management; he worked for Rolm Corporation, Octel Communications, Aspect Corporation, and Foundry Networks, where he was Production Control Manager for ten years, before retiring from Brocade Communications Systems.

Beyond his work, Bill had many outside interests. He returned each year to visit his family and friends while spending time fishing and boating at his “Camp” on Watchaug Pond in Charlestown. An avid golfer, Bill and Charlene enjoyed attending PGA golf tournaments held in California.  After learning to ski at Diamond Hill State Park, Bill continued to ski after moving west, often making the trek to ski at Tahoe.  He often hiked with friends in California.  In his younger years, Bill always enjoyed dirt biking on local trails with his father and friends in Cumberland. 

Bill’s family thanks all of the caregivers and staff at Silverado Care and Silverado Hospice in Escondido, California. They supported him during the pandemic when he survived Covid-19 and the many long months without his family or friends able to visit him in person. The care and concern they extended to Bill and his family throughout his stay there will never be forgotten.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to CurePSP, 1216 Broadway, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10001 or the Brain Support Network, PO Box 7264, Menlo Park, CA, 94026-7264.  CurePSP supports research on this neuro-degenerative illness and the Brain Support Network helps families arrange for brain autopsies conducted by researchers at Mayo Clinic and other medical facilities.

Family and friends are invited to a Celebration of Bill’s life on June 12, 2021, at 1:00 pm at Eternal Hills Mortuary and Cemetery in Oceanside, California. At a later date, a private graveside interment will be held at Arnold Mills Cemetery, Cumberland.

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