William Grant “Bill” Cotner III ,73, loving father, grandpa, and friend, passed away on May 9, 2022, after a long battle with lung cancer.
He was born on August 6, 1948, in Mt. Carmel, son of Willie (Smith) Cotner and William Grant Cotner II. He graduated in the Class of 1966 from Mt. Carmel High School.
Bill loved spending time outdoors hunting and fishing, but his greatest joy came in raising, training, and spending time with his beloved dogs. He served as a Sergeant in the Army during the Vietnam War from 1968-1971. During that time, he served in the Military Police training dogs in the K-9 unit and guarding strategic military installations. While active, he was stationed at West Point Military Academy, as well as the Nike Missile Battery in Fairbanks, Alaska, which only deepened his love and respect for nature and the outdoors.
Bill worked in construction and owned his own business, Cotner Construction, for many years. He loved working with his hands and always had anywhere from 1 to 500 “projects” going on around the house at any given time. His favorite mottos were “measure twice, cut once” or “close enough!” Bill was a member of the First Christian Church of Mt. Carmel, IL. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends.
Surviving Bill are his children, Kathrina (Jack) Dubnicek, Maria (Kipp) Bates, Billy (Becky) Cotner, and Hannah (Zach) Simms; grandchildren Ava and Olivia Dubnicek, Cameron and Madi Bates, Natalie (Jeseph) Meyers, Jackson and Sophie Cotner, and Josiah and Jia Simms. Also surviving is his sister, Adah Neigh, and beloved cousin, Rian (Karen) Waterbury. Preceding him in death were his parents.
Visitation for Bill will take place on Monday, May 23, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Short Funeral Home, 527 N. Mulberry Street, with graveside services following at 1:30 p.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery, East 11th and Plum Streets.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Riley Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis, or the Wabash County Animal Shelter Buddies.
Condolences may be made online at www.short-cunninghamfh.com
Short-Cunningham Funeral Home is honored to serve Bill’s family.
