William Cota, Jr. - 1902-1986

COTA, CONWAY, GAVIN

Posted By: Connie Ellis (email)
Date: 2/20/2011 at 10:32:23

SOURCE: Waukon, Iowa WAUKON DEMOCRAT, September 30, 1986
Contributor: Connie Ellis (Not related)

Funeral services were held for William Cota, Jr. of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, Wednesday, September 24 at 10 a.m. at St. Anne's-St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Harpers Ferry with burial in the church cemetery. Father John Smith was the officiating clergyman. Hanson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Serving as pallbearers were Tom Gavin, Dan Schulte, Pat Delaney, Richard Cota, Teddy Bedward, and Tom Traversy. Honorary pallbearers were L.J. (Ole) Valley and W. L. Cota, uncle of the deceased.

William died Monday, September 22, 1986 at the age of 84 in Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon, Iowa. A lifelong resident of Harpers Ferry, Iowa, he was born February 1, 1902 to Deo and Sarah (Conway) Cota. He was a retired railroad worker and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, Cecelia (Gavin) Cota who died January 9, 1971, 2 sons, Leo P. Cota and Donald Cota; and a brother Donald Cota.

Survivors include a son Ralph D. Cota, a granddaughter Mary Frances Cota, 4 adopted grandchildren, 17 adopted great-grandchildren and 2 adopted great-great grandchildren.

Note for Cota Family Researchers provided by Paul Moritz:

The full name of William Cota's father was Peter "Deo" Gideon Cota.
Peter was born: 28 September 1877 Allamakee Co. Iowa and he died 26 December 1971 Allamakee Co. Iowa. Peter was the son of Theodore Cota.

Using Junior was not uncommon if there was an uncle in the prior generation with the same name. You will note that one of the honorary pallbearers was W.L. (William) Cota, uncle of the deceased.

In the 1900, 1910, 1920, etc. census, Peter Cota is listed as the father of William.