DECATUR -- Mr. William Francis Cogan,
(Bill), 87, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, September 8, 2015 at
7:50 a.m. in Decatur Memorial Hospital with his family by his side.
Mr. Cogan was born in Newport, IN, on April 12, 1928, to Belle Wiltermood Cogan and Sam Cogan. He was raised and lived in Clinton, IN, and graduated from Clinton High School in 1946. Mr. Cogan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, (music), from Indiana State University in 1950 and his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Indiana State in 1958.
He began his teaching career at Greene Township, IN, in 1950, and worked as a music and social studies teacher in the high school until 1952. From 1952-53 he was a music/social studies teacher in Newport, IN.
Mr. Cogan served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He played clarinet in the Army band. He did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was stationed on the East coast at Fort Devans, Massachusetts.
On February 14, 1953, he married Rita Bryant and the two moved to Decatur in 1955. They had five children, Kathleen, Martin, William II, Leslie, and Mary. Mr. Cogan was a sixth grade teacher at Durfee Elementary School from 1955 to 1957. In 1957, he was named assistant principal at Durfee and he served in this position until 1962. In 1962, Bill was named principal at Excelsior and Eldorado Elementary Schools. He served as principal at these two schools until 1971.
In 1971, he was named principal at Dennis Elementary School where he served until his retirement in 1997. At Dennis he was known for is quick wit, love for children, and winning ways with staff and parents. Bill was extremely active and interested in The Arts and sponsored many special learning experiences in the Fine Arts for Dennis students. His 25 year tenure at Dennis was the longest any one principal had served at one specific school.
At the time of his retirement, Bill was the most senior member of the Decatur Public Schools administrative team and often served as the district’s unofficial historian.
He was an excellent mentor and ultimate professional when it came to decisions for children. He put children first in his profession, but always supported staff and included them in decision-making.
On June 21, 2011, Bill and his partner of 30 years were united in their home in a Civil Union ceremony. Then on June 1, 2014, Bill and B.A. were officially and legally married.
Bill and Barry shared a home together and were rarely seen apart. They became the epitome of what love, caring, and compassion should be within couples of any gender.
Bill and B.A. had a passion for animals and rescued dogs. He loved and enjoyed his special pets, Sadie, Big Boy, Muffin, Shelby, Major, Spee-Dee, Bailey, and Bentley. These special creatures lent joy and happiness to his fulfilled life.
Bill in survived by his partner and spouse, Barry A. (B.A.) Buttz, his children, William Cogan II, (Brett), Kathleen, (Scott), Arnold, Mary (Cogan) Frohanapfel, (B. J.), Martin, ( Marla), Cogan and Leslie. He also leaves one beloved sister, Mary Barfield, of Tucson, Arizona.
In addition, he leaves behind his grand-children, Andrea Mooney, (Martin), Dan Arnold, (Kim), Tom Arnold, Josh Cogan, (Lindsey), Laura Cogan, Katy Cogan, Sean Cogan, Nick Cogan, Cogan Frohnapfel, and Griffin Frohnapfel. Great grand-children include Hayleigh Cogan, Caide Cogan, Kassidy Cogan, Kandry Cogan, Vayda Cogan, Conor Cogan, Kyler Walcher, Tucker Arnold, and Jackson Arnold.
Bill was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Very Rev. Jeremiah J. Murphy Assembly, and was life-member in the Parent-Teacher-Association of Decatur.
Bill enjoyed reading, music, art, and traveling. He and B.A. traveled to Ireland, Canada, Scotland, England, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherland, Alaska, France, Liechtenstein, Hawaii, and Italy. He has now found his way to Heaven.
Preceding Mr. Cogan in death were his parents, Sam and Bell Cogan and his wife, Rita.
Bill never liked the lime-light nor did he enjoy accolades he so richly deserved. He will be remembered as the ultimate parent and man who gave of himself so that others could feel good about themselves. Bill Cogan lives on in the minds and hearts of those who loved him and in the lives of the many individuals he served and touched.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Moran & Goebel Funeral and again Friday, September 11, 2015 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Bill’s life will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2015 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will take place at a later date in Graceland Cemetery, Mary Queen of Angels Mausoleum, Tier A, Crypt 4, with his spouse and partner, Barry A. Buttz. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bill’s name to Homeward Bound Animal Shelter, 1720 Huston Dr., Decatur, IL 62526.
The family of William Francis Cogan is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
Obituary written by family members.
Mr. Cogan was born in Newport, IN, on April 12, 1928, to Belle Wiltermood Cogan and Sam Cogan. He was raised and lived in Clinton, IN, and graduated from Clinton High School in 1946. Mr. Cogan received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education, (music), from Indiana State University in 1950 and his Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Indiana State in 1958.
He began his teaching career at Greene Township, IN, in 1950, and worked as a music and social studies teacher in the high school until 1952. From 1952-53 he was a music/social studies teacher in Newport, IN.
Mr. Cogan served in the United States Army from 1953 to 1955. He played clarinet in the Army band. He did his basic training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and was stationed on the East coast at Fort Devans, Massachusetts.
On February 14, 1953, he married Rita Bryant and the two moved to Decatur in 1955. They had five children, Kathleen, Martin, William II, Leslie, and Mary. Mr. Cogan was a sixth grade teacher at Durfee Elementary School from 1955 to 1957. In 1957, he was named assistant principal at Durfee and he served in this position until 1962. In 1962, Bill was named principal at Excelsior and Eldorado Elementary Schools. He served as principal at these two schools until 1971.
In 1971, he was named principal at Dennis Elementary School where he served until his retirement in 1997. At Dennis he was known for is quick wit, love for children, and winning ways with staff and parents. Bill was extremely active and interested in The Arts and sponsored many special learning experiences in the Fine Arts for Dennis students. His 25 year tenure at Dennis was the longest any one principal had served at one specific school.
At the time of his retirement, Bill was the most senior member of the Decatur Public Schools administrative team and often served as the district’s unofficial historian.
He was an excellent mentor and ultimate professional when it came to decisions for children. He put children first in his profession, but always supported staff and included them in decision-making.
On June 21, 2011, Bill and his partner of 30 years were united in their home in a Civil Union ceremony. Then on June 1, 2014, Bill and B.A. were officially and legally married.
Bill and Barry shared a home together and were rarely seen apart. They became the epitome of what love, caring, and compassion should be within couples of any gender.
Bill and B.A. had a passion for animals and rescued dogs. He loved and enjoyed his special pets, Sadie, Big Boy, Muffin, Shelby, Major, Spee-Dee, Bailey, and Bentley. These special creatures lent joy and happiness to his fulfilled life.
Bill in survived by his partner and spouse, Barry A. (B.A.) Buttz, his children, William Cogan II, (Brett), Kathleen, (Scott), Arnold, Mary (Cogan) Frohanapfel, (B. J.), Martin, ( Marla), Cogan and Leslie. He also leaves one beloved sister, Mary Barfield, of Tucson, Arizona.
In addition, he leaves behind his grand-children, Andrea Mooney, (Martin), Dan Arnold, (Kim), Tom Arnold, Josh Cogan, (Lindsey), Laura Cogan, Katy Cogan, Sean Cogan, Nick Cogan, Cogan Frohnapfel, and Griffin Frohnapfel. Great grand-children include Hayleigh Cogan, Caide Cogan, Kassidy Cogan, Kandry Cogan, Vayda Cogan, Conor Cogan, Kyler Walcher, Tucker Arnold, and Jackson Arnold.
Bill was a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Very Rev. Jeremiah J. Murphy Assembly, and was life-member in the Parent-Teacher-Association of Decatur.
Bill enjoyed reading, music, art, and traveling. He and B.A. traveled to Ireland, Canada, Scotland, England, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherland, Alaska, France, Liechtenstein, Hawaii, and Italy. He has now found his way to Heaven.
Preceding Mr. Cogan in death were his parents, Sam and Bell Cogan and his wife, Rita.
Bill never liked the lime-light nor did he enjoy accolades he so richly deserved. He will be remembered as the ultimate parent and man who gave of himself so that others could feel good about themselves. Bill Cogan lives on in the minds and hearts of those who loved him and in the lives of the many individuals he served and touched.
Visitation will be Thursday, September 10, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Moran & Goebel Funeral and again Friday, September 11, 2015 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Bill’s life will be 11 a.m. Friday, September 11, 2015 in Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Burial will take place at a later date in Graceland Cemetery, Mary Queen of Angels Mausoleum, Tier A, Crypt 4, with his spouse and partner, Barry A. Buttz. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Bill’s name to Homeward Bound Animal Shelter, 1720 Huston Dr., Decatur, IL 62526.
The family of William Francis Cogan is being served by the Moran & Goebel Funeral Home, 2801 N. Monroe St., Decatur, IL 62526. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.moranandgoebel.com.
Obituary written by family members.
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