William "Bill" Hancock

William ‘Bill’ or ‘Tommy’ Thomas Hancock, 77, of Rockport, Texas passed away on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at Harbor Hospice in Portland, Texas. Bill was called home, with his wife of 34 years, Cyndi, and many of his children and grandchildren by his side.

Bill was born in Corpus Christi, Texas on December 20, 1945 to John Leonard and Geneva Beatrice (Shelton) Hancock. Bill retired from the US Army as a Staff Sergeant from Fort Bliss, Texas after more than 20 years of honorable service. Once retired from the military, Bill was employed as an Electrical Superintendent with Gulf Marine Fabricators for over 25 years. His work ethic was unmatched, he believed you always show up when someone expects you to be there, and did so right up until his very last day on the job. He was a Man of God, a leader, a teacher to anyone who wanted (or sometimes didn’t want) to know something. Bill was the funniest guy he knew, full of quips and random sayings that would make anyone laugh. He wasn’t always right, but he was never wrong. He thought he was wrong once, but he was mistaken. His family meant everything to him, and he poured an endless amount of love into each and every one of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, in addition to many other bonus family that were lucky to call him ‘Dad’ or ‘Papa’. His talents were multifaceted, anything he wanted to know, he would learn and master on his own. Bill shared his love for music with his kids and grandkids, you could find him playing his guitar while everyone joined along singing his favorite tunes. He always saw the good in everyone; he never met a stranger. He was the toughest man you ever knew and never backed down from a challenge. He continued to defy the odds up until his very last moment, overcoming so many personal and medical obstacles with an attitude of perseverance and bravery that is commendable.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Johnny. He is survived by his wife Cyndi Hancock, sister, Ann Cantrell of Kingston. Oklahoma; children Michael (Lauren) Hancock of Conroe, Texas, Donna ‘Shelly’ (Neal) Schwausch of Copperas Cove, Texas, Chrissy (Bob) Kinsey of New Braunfels, Texas, Mark Hancock and Starrla (Luis) Rodriguez of Corpus Christi, Texas, Shannon Simmons of Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, and Sherry (Marc) Joslin of Portland, Texas; grandchildren Aaron, Anthony, Bobby, Brianna, Brooke, Caitlin, Christian, Diego, Harlynn, Healy Grace, Heather, Iliana, Jennifer, Justin, Matthew, Megan, Morgan H., Morgan M., Rebecca, Rowan, Tommy, Tori and 5 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 23, 2023 at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home. Chapel services will be held at Charlie Marshall Funeral Home (2003 West Wheeler Ave, Aransas Pass, Texas) on Tuesday, May 23rd, 2023 at 11:00 am. A short memorial service will be held at the Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery (9974 I-37, Corpus Christi, Texas 78410) at 1:00 pm preceding the burial.

Donations in honor of SSG William Hancock to the National Coalition of Homeless Veterans in lieu of flowers have been requested by the family. https://nchv.org/