Will Joseph Cockrell

Will Joseph Cockrell, was born in the Cedarville Hospital on the 4th of July, 1958 to William ( Bill ) Cockrell and Betty ( Harris ) Cockrell.  He passed away on April 21, 2022, after a long battle with Pancreatic Cancer.  Will lived most of his life in Surprise Valley, with the exception of the years he attended College. He spent one year at Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, Or. and one year attending Wyoming Tech, where he received his Automotive Technician Degree. 

Upon his return back to Surprise Valley, after school, he met his wife of 43 years, Debra Ann Carey.  They married in 1979 and began ranching in a family partnership with Will’s parents. In 1988, they branched out on their own, purchasing one of the former family ranches The Patterson Ranch. Between the years 1983 and 1992, they had 4 children. Will and his wife Debra along with their four children have always aspired to be a working team.  This working spirit continues on today.  Will’s passion has always been the cattle business, besides ranching, he was asked by Ellington Peek one day if he could ship a load of cattle for Shasta Livestock and 26 years later he was still involved with Shasta Livestock and Western Video Market.  He always felt that his customers and the buyers were some of the best people he ever met and some of his very best friends he had.

Will is survived by his mother Betty Cockrell, his wife Debra Cockrell, his four children Cassie ( Cristian ) Oyarzun, Ashley Cockrell, Wayne ( Carli ) Cockrell, and Weston Cockrell.  Also, his two grandsons Kiko and Kason Oyarzun, and his 3 sisters JoJo ( Dan ) Henningson, of Twin Falls, Idaho. Carol ( Tom ) Wulfekuhle, of Billings, Montana. Jeanne ( Craig ) Spratling, of Deeth Nevada. As well as, numerous nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his dog “Axe” his loyal companion, who has known for some time, that something wasn’t right with his master.

Services will be held on May 3, 2022, with graveside services at 11:00 am at the Eagleville Cemetery, followed by a catered fellowship with a potluck dessert from locals at the Eagleville Community Hall.  In Lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Andy Peek Livestock Scholarship, P.O. Box 887, Cottonwood, Ca. 96022, or the Modoc County Cattlewomen’s and Cattlemen’s Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 711, Alturas, Ca. 96101.  Will felt strongly about supporting and trying to keep the youth coming into Agriculture.

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