William J. Cotter III, of Signal Mountain, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William J. Cotter Jr. and Ada Ruth (Smith) Cotter.
Bill was a lifelong native of Signal Mountain. It was always home and one he returned to after college, the Air Force, and employment with Gulf Oil.
He graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1957. He was on the first golf team. After graduating from Notre Dame High School, he graduated from Auburn University. He was an active member of ATO fraternity. Bill joined the Air Force upon graduation. As a Second Lieutenant he graduated from weapons defense school. He was deployed to Miles City, Montana; Saigon, Vietnam; Okinawa; Kumi Shema; and Sacramento, California. While in the Far East he learned to scuba dive and loved exploring the depths of the ocean. Upon his return to California he went to work for Gulf Oil in Sacramento, California. During his time in Sacramento he became an instrument Rated Private Pilot. He loved flying and flew all over the south. His trips included Key West, Florida and Denver, Colorado. His career with Gulf Oil moved him from Sacramento to Oakland, San Jose and to Seattle, Washington. Bill met and married Ida while in Sacramento.
Upon his return to Chattanooga Bill embarked on a career as an insurance agent starting with the Greenspan Agency, moving to the Rowland, Daniels & Stevens Agency, then starting his own Agency. Cotter Owens Agency was a forward thinking, technically advanced agency. His partner, Joyce Owens, was the first female partner in an agency in Hamilton County.
Bill was a member of the Signal Mountain Golf & Country Club. He loved playing golf. He enjoyed visiting with his family and friends.
He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Ida M. Cotter; brother Michael P. Cotter, Ft. Collins, CO; nephew Matthew J. Cotter, his wife Taylor and their two children Reed and Quinn, Cheyenne, WY, and nephew Garrett M. Cotter, Ft. Worth, TX.
A private family graveside service will be held at Chattanooga Memorial Park at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the charity of your choice.
Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, 5401 Highway 153.
Please share your memories at: ChattanoogaNorthChapel.com.