William Henry Cobb

William Henry Cobb, Jr. May 21, 1921- June 8, 2014, William Henry Cobb, Jr., “Big Daddy” joined all his other fishing buddies in Heaven on June 8, 2014, passing peacefully at his daughter’s home under the care of Covenant Hospice. Born to William H. Cobb and Susan H. Cobb on May 21, 1921 at Estothel, AL, Covington Co, rural Opp, AL. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Jack Dwight Cobb and sister, Suzanne Elizabeth Cobb. Survivors include his loving wife, Helen H. Cobb, of 51 years; daughters, Kristal (Bill) Walsh and Carol (Clayton) Manson; two grandsons, Joseph Cole Flanders and Luke Austin Flanders; sister-in-law, Madalyn Cobb; nephew, Burgess Cobb; nieces, Jeanna (Oliver) Cunningham and Claire Springfield, and several cousins. Bill attended all of his school years in Florida with early grades at Eagle Lake, Winter Haven and Haines City. He completed his high school years at Graceville High School where he was known as a very good athlete and in his senior year was elected Captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams. In 1938 he and two other players were nominated to the All West Florida Football team by the Pensacola News Journal. Bill then attended National Aviation Academy in Tampa in 1940, worked as an apprentice mechanic for Eastern Air Lines in Tampa. As World War II came about he went to work at MacDill AFB as a Senior Aircraft mechanic and Aircraft Inspector. During these years he earned the coveted, FAA A&E license. In 1943 he entered the Marine Corps. His duty stations were Parris Island, S.C, Cherry Point, N.C., Miramar, Ca. and the Pacific islands of Kwajalein and Guam. His squadron received battle stars for assisting in the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and then stateside to El Centro, Ca. He was discharged in 1946 as T/SGT. Bill spent three years, 1958-1961, in the Air Force Reserve in Miami and Homestead AFB as aircraft maintenance supervisor, discharged as a M/SGT. Bill received his Florida Real Estate license in 1959 and worked as salesman in Hollywood, Fl., Tampa, Fl, and settled in Pensacola where he was a member of the Pensacola Board of Realtors for over 40 years. He was broker-salesman for Joe L. Burgess Agency and Jack Cobb Realty. Bill belonged to Olive Baptist Church where he was active and a leader in his Sunday School Department for 25 years. Bill was a Master Mason, F&AM, for over 60 years. The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel South between the hours of 0900-1000 on Wednesday, 11 June 2014 until services begin at 1000. Interment will follow at Bayview Cemetery on Scenic Highway. Pallbearers will be Cole Flanders, Butch Flanders, Bill Walsh, Luke Flanders, Clayton Manson and Ryan Highstreet. FAITH CHAPEL FUNERAL HOME SOUTH, 100 Beverly Pkwy, is entrusted with arrangements. You may express your condolences online at www.fcfhs.com

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William Henry Cobb

May 21, 1921 - June 8, 2014