Rev. Louis W. Cobb

Rev. Louis W. Cobb "Bill" Essexville, Michigan Rev. Louis W. Cobb, of Essexville, passed away early Wednesday morning, August 7, 2013, at his residence, age 88. He was born the eighth child out of eleven on January 17, 1925 in Bay County, Michigan, to Floyd David & Amelia Carolina Johanna (Haefka) Cobb. Bill proudly served his country during WWII with the U.S. Army. He was stationed in Italy with Company G, 350th Infantry, 88th Infantry Division. During his tour of duty, Bill became an expert rifleman, and was the recipient of the E.A.M.E. (European, African, Middle Eastern) Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, the U.S. Army Good Conduct Medal, the WWII Victory Medal and The Army of Occupation of Germany Medal. He has been a longtime member of the D.A.V. Bill was a graduate of Olivet Nazarene College in Illinois and became a Minister for the Church of Nazarene. He served churches in Michigan and Texas, including First Church of Nazarene in Bay City, where he was currently a member. Bill enjoyed hunting and fishing, but most of all he cherished time spent with his family. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Ruth Marion (Smith) Cobb on November 18, 2002. Bill is survived by his wife, Norma Faye (Walls) Whitney Cobb of Essexville; his five children, Sherry (Paul) Clagett of Corsicana, Texas, Linda (Gary) Brunton of Corsicana, Texas, Susan (Curtis) Hardin of Kansas City, Missouri, Sheldon (Sharon) Cobb of Mesquite, Texas and Tim (Crystal) Cobb of Raleigh, North Carolina; two step-sons, Derryl Whitney of Bay City and Keith (Shelly) Whitney of Essexville; 19 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Alfred Cobb of Midland, Michigan and Allen Cobb of Vicksburg, Michigan; and numerous nieces & nephews. Bill was also preceded in death by a daughter-in-law, Suzanne Garson Whitney. The Funeral Service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. Officiating will be Rev. Ronald V. Compton. A private interment with Military Honors will take place at Dallas-Fort Worth National Cemetery in Dallas, Texas. Friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Nazarene Compassionate Ministries c/o First Church of Nazarene, 1759 W. Youngs Ditch Rd., Bay City, MI 48706. www.gephartfuneralhome.com