William Cothron

William Clay "Bill" Cothron COTHRON, WILLIAM CLAY "BILL," 62, was called Home unexpectedly to the arms of his Heavenly Father on Saturday, March 27, 2010.
He was the son of Pauline and the late Clay Cothron.
Upon graduation from Bellarmine College, he taught middle school. Bill went on to work for Ford Motor Company, completing 30 years of service.
After retiring, Bill was able to fulfill his life-long ambition to become an independent filmmaker. With his friend, James Wolford Hardin, a partnership called True Dreams Productions was formed.
The multi-talented Bill wrote the scripts, directed and acted in two full-length movies, "Finale: The Last Case" and "Finale II: Deader than Dead." The achievement of his dreams came when his film "Fangs For the Memories" won Best Short Film in the 2006 Fright Fest Film Competition.
Bill had the gift of bringing out the best in local actors. He was respected and admired by everyone who worked with him.
William was also remarkably adept in magic. He was a member of the Louisville Magic Club, Society of American Magicians and the International Brotherhood of Magicians. For years, Bill and his oldest son, Kent, performed magic shows. His audiences were amazed as Bill produced doves and rabbits, did unusual and intricate card tricks and made coins vanish.
Somehow, Bill found the time to volunteer two days a week at Schaffner Traditional Elementary School, working with six-year-olds who loved him.
William was a devout Christian and a member of St. Stephen United Church of Christ.
Besides being a loving husband, loyal friend, affectionate father and true family man, Bill's compassion extended to animals. He had a collection of 10 pets, including cats, dogs and a Nigerian pygmy goat named Griffin.
Survivors include his wife of 41 years, Barbra; his three awesome and gifted children, Kent, Camille and Blake, all in California; his kind mother, Pauline; his favorite sister-in-law, Anne Luttrell; and his beloved dachshund, Auggy.
Visitation is 3-8 p.m. Wednesday and noon-8 p.m. Thursday at Owen Funeral Home, 5317 Dixie Hwy. A celebration of Bill's wonderful life will take place 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home, with interment in Louisville Memorial Gardens West.
The family requests that expressions of sympathy take the form of donations to Bill's favorite charities, the Animal Care Society, 12207 Westport Road, Louisville, KY 40245 or the American Family Association of Kentucky, P.O. Box 8089, Louisville, KY 40257.