William Joseph Cobb, 98, passed away at home in Dagsboro on March 27, 2025. He was born at home on June 11, 1926, on Club House Road in Millville to the late Harry and Flossie Cobb.

He was one of 11 children — only six lived to adulthood. His parents were gone for work frequently, so he had a great deal of freedom growing up. He filled spare time with work, starting at a very young age climbing holly trees and cutting off the branches for a group of ladies who made wreaths and sent them by train up to Philadelphia. He also worked at the Bethany Beach Bowling Alley, setting up pins for 3 cents a game on the Bethany boardwalk in the summers, living in the back with other kids.

He joined the United States Navy in 1944, serving on the USS McCracken, a transport ship, in the Pacific during World War ll. He took countless Marines to land on Okinawa, Japan.  After the war was over, he was transferred to a minesweeper that cleared the mines from the Sea of Japan, the USS Signet.

After the War, he came back home and met his future wife, Shirley May Palmatary. They were married on Aug. 7, 1954, for 65 years until her passing in 2019.

They had three children: Susan Cobb Lyons of Millville, William David Cobb and wife, Ann, of Port Saint Lucie, Fla., and Jodi Leigh Thompson and husband, Phillip, of Selbyville; seven grandchildren: Andrew Lyons, Jr. and wife, Page, of Dagsboro; Sarah Hoban and husband, Bill, of Millsboro; Emily Harne and husband Curtis, of Millsboro; Marlo Cobb and Matt Peterson, of Fort Myers, Fla.; Owen Cobb and Melissa of Coral Springs, Fla.; Gunnar Thompson and Jessie Smith, of Selbyville; Kylie Thompson, of Selbyville. It doesn't stop there. They also had 11 great grandchildren: Lily and Gracie Hoban; Ellen, Finley and Jackson Lyons; Brooke, Leeland and Julian Harne; Elliot and Ethan Peterson, and Hudson Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Flossie Cobb; brothers, Harry Ross Cobb and Jessie Cobb; sisters, Harriet McClung, Hilda Savage and Violet Hudson, along with a son-in-law, Andrew Lyons, Sr.

After the war, he worked at Murray's Hatchery in Ocean View.  The company was bought out by Paramount and then by Cargill. When the hatchery was closed to build a new one in Dagsboro, he became a roadman, servicing many of the poultry farms in the area. On nights and weekends, he worked his other job, sign-painting. Most of the classic signs in the Ocean View area were hand-painted by him. He painted stock cars, delivery trucks, boats, gold-leafed fire trucks and just about anything else that needed his flair.

He was quick to smile, and enjoyed a good-back-and forth with his friends and family. The man could tell a story and he had an endless supply of them. He knew all of the history of the community in great detail even until the very end, and he knew just about everyone. If you were within earshot of him at any point in your life, there's a pretty good chance you heard one of his stories, and you probably wish you could hear one more now. He also loved cars, following local stock car racing and watching NASCAR every Sunday afternoon.

He was the oldest member of the Doric Lodge, and served there a remarkable 64 years.

The family would like to thank all of the friends, family and care-givers that have assisted us throughout the past few years. We could not have kept him at home as he wished without your help. It has meant a lot to us, and reminded us that it truly takes a village sometimes.

Services will be held in the Ocean View chapel of Melson's Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Rd., on Tuesday, April 8. A viewing will begin at 11 a.m., and services start at 12:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to VITAS Healthcare, 30265 Commerce Dr., Unit 202, Millsboro, DE 19966; the Roxana CHEER Center, 34314 Pyle Center Rd, Frankford, DE 19945; or Doric Lodge No. 30 A.F. & A.M., 35476 Atlantic Ave., Millville, DE 19967.