William H. (Pastor Bill) Cottingham, 81, passed away on Sunday May 20 at his residence in Savannah.
Rev. Cottingham was a native of Waycross and had lived in Savannah for 38 years. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he retired after 30 years from Chatham Steel Corp. as a Maintenance Supervisor. Pastor Bill was also a full-time pastor for 40 years, founder of the Southside Church of God, and served as Pastor at Coastal Correctional Facility with the Prison Ministry of The Sanctuary of Savannah.
Preceded in death by his parents Doralee Frazier & William Cottingham of Waycross, and 3 grandsons, Brian Sparks of Savannah,Nicholas Klinger and Joshua Hollis, he is survived by his wife of 56 years Betty M. Cottingham; 6 Daughters, Dorene Cottingham and Donna Cottingham of Savannah, Karen Johnson (Nick) of Richmond Hill, Terri Sparks of Bloomingdale, Loni Oglesby (Preston) of Savannah, and Michelle Cobb (CJ) of Ocoee, Florida; a son, Timothy Cottingham (Shawn) of Savannah; sister, Doralee Steuer of Bryson City, North Carolina; brother, Harold Cottingham (Faye) of Brunswick; 24 Grandchildren and 23 Great-Grandchildren.
Visitation will be on Thursday May 24, 5:30-6:30 PM at The Sanctuary of Savannah, 8912 Whitefield Avenue. Funeral Services to follow at 6:30 PM, with Rev. Lamar Terrell and Rev. Hugo Hammond officiating. Graveside Services at Hillcrest Abbey West on Friday May 25 at 11:00AM.
Casket Bearers will be Grandsons.
Please visit our Tribute Wall to share your thoughts and photos with the William H. Cottingham family.
Bonaventure Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.