William Lafayette Cotton, 90, of San Francisco, California passed away Thursday, May 8, 2025. He was born on July 15, 1934 in Waco to the proud parents of William M. and Velma Cotton. He was the eighth of eleven children. William married Alma Louise Wimbish in Cuero in December 1956. From that union, two children were born, Rhonda Irene Cotton and William Lafayette Cotton, Jr. Previous to this marriage, William became the father of another daughter, Sheila Cotton. William Cotton was an active member of the African American Episcopal Zion Church in San Francisco, California, at the time of his death, where he served as a trustee board member. In 1952, he entered the United States Military Armed Forces, where he served in Korea and Vietnam. He also served in Germany and Thailand. In the military, his focus was security and police functions. He retired from active duty in July 1980. Prior to retirement, he obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. Upon retirement, William Cotton returned to Texas and utilized his skills and knowledge that he acquired in the areas concerning criminal justice, and continued in a career of public service by working for the State of Texas as a probation officer for Dewitt County. After a few years in that capacity, he transitioned into a role with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a parole officer for the state. His next endeavor was working in the Child Support Enforcement Division with the State of Texas Attorney General’s office. His primary areas of responsibility were South Texas and the upper Gulf Coast areas, with a primary office in Victoria. William Cotton was continuously active in the community of Victoria. He served on several boards and lent his time, knowledge, and experience to produce positive change.
Preceding William in death were his parents, William M. Cotton and Velma Cotton; his wife, Alma Louise-Wimbish Cotton; his brothers, A.D. Cotton and John Cotton; his sisters, Vertna Cobbs, Codell Cotton, Gladys Gregory, Mildred Brown, Ella Marie Cotton, Velma Weaver; and his daughter, Rhonda Cotton Robinson.
William leaves to mourn his son, William Lafayette Cotton, Jr. and his daughter, Sheila Cotton; his granddaughters, Qiana Robinson and Shaneen Robinson; his grandsons, Maxwell McKinley Cotton and Jaxson Paul Cotton; and several great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends who loved him. William also leaves his special friend, partner, and confidant, Edna (Miller) Collier.
