William Wayne “Bill” Cochren, 90, of Whiting, KS, passed away Monday, July 29, 2019 at Stormont Vail Hospital. He was born August 4, 1928 in Whiting, KS, the son of Walter W. and Marie (Shannon) Cochren.

Bill graduated from Whiting High School in 1946 and attended Kansas State University. Bill was a journalist for Topeka Daily Capital. He later worked as a store manager for Robert Hall Clothing for nearly 20 years. In 1966, Bill began Parallel Farms where he was a farmer and stockman. In 1981, he expanded Parallel Farms to include Parallel Farms Inc. in Whiting, KS.

He married Marje Riley in 1955. They were married nearly 40 years. Marje lives in Holton, KS. Other survivors include his children, Luke Cochren (Carolyn) of Holton, KS, Kim Bethell (Doug) of Williamsburg, KS, Phil Cochren of Scottsdale, AZ and Joel Cochren (Christie) of Austin, TX; a sister, Betty Scheid (Paul) of Whiting, KS; a sister-in-law, Mary Cochren of Kansas City, MO; 8 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by 2 sisters, June Henoch and Joy Manion and a brother, Wendell Cochren.

Funeral Service will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton with burial to follow in the Springhill Cemetery in Whiting, KS. Family will greet friends from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. Monday evening at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Jackson County 4-H c/o Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.

To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.