Herbert William "Bill" Kochs Jr.

Herbert William “Bill” Kochs, Jr., 86, of Economy, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at UPMC Passavant Hospital on the evening of July 13, 2023.

Bill was born to Herbert William and Mildred (Swift) Kochs on July 29, 1936, at Grant hospital in Chicago, Illinois.  He attended private schools in Chicago and Tucson, Arizona, then graduated with a double major from Denison University in Granville, Ohio, where he enjoyed academics and was an excellent tennis player.  After working with his father at the Diversey Corporation, Bill embarked on a new career with Matt and Ivan Perkins, founders of the Perkins Pancake House chain of restaurants, where he was instrumental in the growth of the company until its sale to Holiday Inn in 1979.  Moving to Austin, Texas, in 1980, he and his wife, Mary, became heavily involved in the Republican Party of Texas, and used his entrepreneurial spirit to embark on several projects until retiring to Wooster, Ohio, in 2004.

Bill had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, spending his time researching topics and reading books.  Always the patriarch of the family, he was selfless with his time for those who needed his expertise, guidance, and help, while never asking for thanks or favors in return.  Regardless of the situation or endeavor, Bill always relied on very strong values, holding himself to the highest of standards.  Honesty, integrity, and ethics were concepts he applied to everything he touched, even when doing so came at great cost to himself.

Though knowing a great many people in his life, Bill became very close to the Eichelberger’s in Austin, and even closer to the Dulin’s in Wooster, where he embraced them not as friends, but as his own family.

Bill is survived by his children, William Kochs, David Kochs, Stephen Kurt (Joanna) Kochs, and Douglas (Jeannie) Reese, a grandchild, Austin Kochs, and his sister, Judy Shaw, along with a great many nieces and nephews.  Of special mention, Sister-in-Law Barbara Hooks, and Tina Miller.

Bill was predeceased by his wife, Mary Alice (Hooks) Kochs, his daughter, Anna Kochs, his father Herbert William Kochs, Sr., his mother Mildred (Swift) Kochs, and his sister, Susan Kochs.     Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 29, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville with burial to follow in Springlawn Cemetery.  Visitation will be on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service.

Online condolences can be made to www.wellmanfuneralhomes.com.