William Cookson Obituary

WILLIAM VAN COOKSON
March 30, 1928 ˜ February 14, 2022

William Van Cookson was born Mar. 30, 1928, and passed away from this world Feb. 14, 2022, from natural causes. He entered life in Edmonton, Alberta and was placed up for adoption. Several weeks later, William and Ora Cookson discovered him and took him home to Missouri. In 1931, the family moved to Oregon for better employment opportunities. After of few years of temporary work they settled near Reedsport, about seven miles up the Smith River.
Raising cattle and pigs on a large ranch became his family life. He had a great school life of football, 4H, chasing girls, learning to drive logging trucks at 16, and playing the accordion at grange hall dances. After graduating from Reedsport High School with a football scholarship, he alternated his time between Montana State University and the US Army in Korea. He achieved the rank MST Sargent with 3 bronze stars and was discharged in 1953. He returned to truck driving upon graduation from Montana State. He met Betty DeFrance in the summer of 1954 and they were married the following February. They moved to Portland, OR, in 1957, and then to a small farm in Tigard in 1962 where they raised three children.
He acquired a private pilot’s license and enjoyed leisure flying quite often. He was a safety supervisor for ONC trucking company for 14 years, and his last job was line driving for Silver Eagle Trucking. In 1996, they retired to Vancouver, WA, where he and wife Betty both finished their lives together, traveling extensively across the country and overseas. He enjoyed simpler times, learning history, hanging out with friends, moving lawns on his John Deere tractor, and his caring for three little dogs.
His wife, Betty; sister, Dora; and son, Robert preceded him. He is survived by children, Janelle and William; sister, Margaret; grandchildren, Jessica and Sabrina; and great-grandchildren, Jocelyn, Cody, Isabella; and many other nieces and nephews. His best friends, Brian Gough, Patricia Roth, and Joe Wise will miss him dearly.
There will be a Celebration of Life at the Vancouver American Legion Post Aug. 20 at 11 a.m., and a graveside service Aug. 22, Willamette National Cemetery at 10 a.m.
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