In 2006, Bill Cobham performed at the Christmas Cantata with the Voices of Ousley. Since then, Brother Bill has performed with The Praise Team, Women's Choir, S.O.N.G. Youth Choir, and The S.O.N.G. Ensemble.
William E. Cobham, Jr. graduated from George Westinghouse High School in Brooklyn, New York. As a young trombonist, Bill won a scholarship to The Brooklyn Music School. He attended the Bronx Community College School of Performing Arts. Bill enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he saw combat in the Vietnam War. In 1972, Bill started a career with The U.S. Customs Service in New York City. He is a graduate of the U.S. Customs Academy Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, in Glynco, Georgia. Bill retired in 2005 from Hartsfield Jackson International Airport with over 36 years of Federal Service.
Brother Bill has over 40 years of volunteer work in the community, since the age of 15 years, he has worked with young people. Billy's passion is sharing his musical gifts with other people. As a volunteer and community activist, Brother Bill has taught countless young people music and music theory. As the Lay Associate at the Church of the Holy Redeemer, in Brooklyn New York. Bill's job was: Music Teacher, Choir Director, Mentor, Musician, Conductor, Day Camp Director, and Mobile Theater Director. Sunday School Director, Acolyte Director, Band Leader, and Motivational Speaker. In 1965, Brother Bill introduced "Brass Music" to the Lutheran Church in America. His brass ensemble performed for the first time in a Lutheran Church. This was the start of a tradition that has continued to this day. Bill was a "Healthy Relationship Educator" for the Mature Project of Rockdale Medical Center in Conyers, GA.
During his wonderful musical career, Brother Bill performed with a host of bands and orchestras: New York Philharmonic Young Peoples Concert at Lincoln Center, Boro-Wide Band and Orchestra, All City Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, The Boro of Manhattan Community College Brass Ensemble at Town Hall, The New York Orchestral Society, The Yonkers Philharmonia, The Williamsburg Settlement Band, The Goldman Band, The Bronx Community College Orchestra. The Kingsborough College Community Band, The Clark Terry Band, The Tito Puente Band, the Willie Colon Band, First African Presbyterian Church, Ebenezer Baptist Church, St. Stephens Lutheran Church, The Seed and Feed Marching Band, and the Georgia Perimeter College Community Wind Ensemble, The Crusade Dominion Church Sanctuary Band, Epiphany Lutheran Church Chapel Choir and Church Trombonist and Dixie Land Trombonist, The Harlem Orchestral Society, Berriman JHS Orchestra and Band New York World's Fair 1965, The Covington/Conyers Community Orchestra and Conductor of the Brass Ensemble, Salem United Methodist Church, First United Methodist Church of Covington, St. Simons Lutheran Church. Trombonist, Hand Bell Choir, Ambassador Choir and Founder and Leader of the FPC Brass Ensemble for the First Presbyterian Church of Covington, GA, Newton County Community Band Trombonist. Eagle Scout Cypress Hills Troop 591 Brooklyn East New York, "Operation Give A Damn Mobile Theater" Vocalist and Band Leader of "The Arbitrations." Founder of the "Prayer Band Call-Out' with a Prayer Warrior Membership of over One Thousand. Salem Camp Meeting Trombonist. Bill was a volunteer at the Covington Homeless Shelter. Bill had always had a love of Photography. He was self-taught. Bill was always there to lift someone up or to make someone laugh! Bill finally got his wish. Peachtree Academy Covington Campus. August 2017 to January 2018. Bill taught Elementary Music, Middle School Band, and High School Band. Bill was able to touch many young people because of his love of music. God put him there for a reason and for a season. Life member and volunteer with The Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless. Bill was also a volunteer with the Newton County Community Feed the Hungry and homeless.
Bill was a civil rights activist all of his life. He believed in Justice for all of God's people. His activism could have been a best seller demonstrator, marcher, and drummer. Revolt in front of Madison Square Garden 1968 because "George Wallace" was trying to be President. Bill was one of the Leaders of the Boycott of New York City Colleges in 1968. His Band "The Arbitrations" performed at the Memorial Service for Dr. King at Linton Park in Brooklyn East New York. He led thousands in a March across the Brooklyn Bridge to defy the rule of Apartheid in South Africa in 1990. In New York City, he started the wearing of "green ribbons" in support of the "Murdered Children of Atlanta" in the 1980's. Bill marched with the Dr. Joseph Lowery in the march against racism in Clayton County GA, in the 1990's. Bill led many a march with the Rev. Dr. Hosea Williams, in Atlanta, GA. He marched with "Uncle Hosea" all the way. He played the drums for Uncle Hosea's Funeral March where thousands attended. In 2009, He led over 10 thousand marchers across the "Edmund Pettus Bridge" during the "Bloody Sunday" anniversary march in Selma, AL. He was the "Drum Major" for "The March for Our Lives" Covington Square on March 27, 2018. Bill was blessed to have met two wonderful Activists: "Dr. Martin Luther King" and "Mother Theresa." Bill decided at a very young age that he would always fight for what is right. He was Bold in The Lord.
More recently, Bill was a beloved member of First Presbyterian Church of Covington, where he served as the acolyte coordinator. Mr. Bill loved this ministry offering to the children of the church.
A Memorial Service for Mr. Bill will be held Wednesday, July 13, 2022, 10:00 A.M., at First Presbyterian Church of Covington, 1169 Clark Street SW, in Covington.
This obituary was prepared with love and affection by Mr. Bill's family.
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Kelly Greene
Case Processor
Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home
1215 Access Road, Covington, GA 30014
(770) 786-7062
