WILLIAM CHEVIS (BILL) MCCORKLE

1928-2017

William Chevis (Bill) McCorkle, age 89, of Missouri City, Texas passed away on August 8, 2017. Bill was born April 16, 1928, in Crowley, La. To Clarence B. and Birdie McCorkle. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Margaret Ann (Peggy) McCorkle, who passed away in 2011. Bill is survived by two sons, Ray of Sugar Land and Rob of Las Cruces, NM; daughter Eileen Drew of New Hope, AL and their spouses: Tammy, Judy and Marshall respectively, as well as 4 grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren. Bill served in the U.S. Army and fought in the Korean War, Rising to the rank of 1st Lt. He earned 2 Bronze stars with V for Valor, 2 Purple Hearts and was a P.O.W., Leading some of his platoon in a successful escape. Bill earned a Geology degree from LSU, where in 1947 he established the Pershing Rifles Military drill unit, and enjoyed a successful career as a petroleum geologist in Houston, in 2001, Bill was induced into the Cadets of the Ole War Skule Hall of Honor. He proudly called himself a “patriot.” Bill was an avid golfer and a fanatical LSU fan. As co-founder of the Texas Tiger Golf Tournament held for years at Quail Valley Country Club, he helped raise more than $500,000 to endow a McCorkle/Texas Tiger scholarship through the Tiger Athletic Foundation. In 2001, the TAF named Bill the Augie Cross Memorial Award Volunteer of the year. The family would also like to express their love and gratitude to Ms. Anita Collier for her tireless efforts to provide care and comfort to Bill for the last several years of his life. After a private burial service with full military honors a memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday August 12 at First United Methodist Church of Missouri City. The family would request that in lieu of flowers a donation be make in Bill’s memory to the Wounded Warriors Project or the charity of your choice. Pallbearers: Gerry Burkett, Bill Anderson, Don McGinty, Harold Melville, Fred Curry, Barney Pinchernott and Marshall Drew.