Obituary for William “Bill” Cogley William Francis “Bill” Cogley age 74 died in Tucson, Arizona on October 10, 2018, of pancreatic cancer. He was born in Port Huron, Michigan, April 12, 1944, to Lawrence and Betty (Pembleton) Cogley, and was the eldest of four siblings, Catherine “Kitty” Cogley-Judd, Patrick (Judy Venia) Cogley, and Terrence “Terry” (Katie O’Brien) Cogley. Bill married his St. Stephen High School sweetheart, Barbara (Tate) Cogley on June 11, 1966, and for 52 years they enjoyed a Life Partnership that was second to none.
They raised three sons: Brian Cogley of Oakland, CA, Corey (Cathy Sierra) Cogley of Las Vegas, NV, and Kevin Cogley of Tucson, AZ, and were later blessed with four grandchildren: Kayde (14), Rhiannon (12), Kellen (11), and Kinley (9) Cogley – all of whom adored ‘Grandpa. ’ Bill graduated from University of Michigan, Dearborn Campus, with a degree in Business Administration. In 1979 he founded and was Executive Director of a national training company, Training Services Association (TSA), which is an organization that assists Native Americans and public facilities to receive hands-on training in building maintenance and the trades.
Bill considered all workshop leaders and office assistants who work with TSA to be his friends, and he deeply respected their wide variety of skilled expertise. He was especially proud when his sons joined the TSA Team. Bill was known for his leadership abilities, as well as for his no fanfare, behind-the-scenes gestures of thoughtfulness to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Bill and Barb lived in Tucson and summered in Port Huron for many years, where Bill enjoyed playing tennis, boating, and his late-in-life passion –fishing. Entertaining friends with Barb was a favorite activity. He loved a good party and a good laugh.
He also thoroughly enjoyed folk and bluegrass music, and regularly sought out festivals featuring those genres. He was noted for scheming fun, creative activities, and then persuading friends to join in the adventures. He is survived by his wife, Barb; plus, his sons, grandchildren, siblings and sisters-in-law, and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews — as well as many lifelong friends whom he considered to be family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his brothers-in-law, David Tate and George Judd, and most recently, his niece, Erin (Cogley) May. As per Bill’s wishes, there will be no funeral service. Instead — In his memory there will be an Irish wake/party next summer at the family home in Port Huron.
In lieu of flowers, it would be appreciated that any donations will find their way in some capacity to pancreatic cancer research. Arrangement by ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Avalon Chapel.
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