Leland Virgle Cockrill

Cockrill

Leland Virgle Cockrill of Hughes Springs died Oct. 22, at the age of 81.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Lorene Cockrill; his father, TJ Cockrill; sister, Betty Blair; and son, Lee Cockrill.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Wanda Cockrill; his daughter and son-in-law, LuAnn and Bobby Moore; and his grandchildren, Kristen Zdonczyk and her husband, James, Garrett Cockrill, Tyler Moore, and Brittany Steen and her husband, Colt.

Mr. Cockrill graduated from Bonham High School in 1949. He began college at East Texas State Teachers College in 1949 and graduated with a bachelor of science in 1953. He then married the love of his life, Wanda Wallace, on April 3, 1953. He received his masters of science degree in 1955. After completing four years of ROTC while in college, he was stationed at James Connelly Air Force Base in Waco. He was honorably discharged in 1957, achieving the rank of first lieutenant. Leland and Wanda welcomed their son, Lee, in 1958 and their daughter, LuAnn, in 1960. Leland began working for the Hughes Springs Independent School District in 1963 where he worked as a teacher and principal and retired as the superintendent of schools in 1995. He retired to become a full-time grandpa and also enjoyed fishing, hunting and camping. 

Visitation will be held at Reeder Davis Funeral Home in Hughes Springs on Friday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Hughes Springs. A memorial donation can be made to the Hughes Springs Public Library, PO Box 237, Hughes Springs TX 75656.