William (Bill) Roman Kochan passed away November 28, 2016. He was the son of the late Stella and Roman Kochan and the grandson of the late Stanley and Agnes Dziewisz who helped raise him in his native home of Niagara Falls, New York. He was a graduate of the State University of New York at Fredonia and held advanced degrees from Florida State University. In 1961, Bill married the love of his life, Frances Molnar Kochan and together they embarked on many journeys, including times on Yap, Majuro, Guam and Hawaii. Their children, Philip and Anne continue to cherish those and many other adventures, including his teaching Philip how to snorkel and taking Anne to her horse rides. Bill served as a teacher and adult educator in Western New York ,Yap, Majuro, and Guam. He worked as a school psychologist in North Florida and Georgia, where he would bring the children he was working with gingerbread man cookies, so they wouldnt be scared. He cared deeply about the students and parents he served. He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Opelika and was previously a member of the St. Thomas More prayer group and parish in Tallahassee, Fl. where he received the parish Jubilee Medal for his service. He was active in the Auburn and West Point Community theater groups. Bill had a life-long passion for World War II history and planes. He was also an avid collector and historian of steam locomotives and told wonderful stories about their development, history and importance in the development of America. Bill Kochan loved God, his family, his friends, and life. He was a man of high principle and you could depend on his word. He had great compassion for those in need and those whose lives held struggles and difficulties. He truly believed in the Christian ideals of justice, mercy and love. He also believed deeply in the written ideals of his country that his immigrant grandparents came to and in life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all. He engaged in many activities throughout his life to assure that others had opportunities to pursue those goals. He is survived by his wife Frances, son Philip, daughter and son-in-law Anne and Todd Bozik and grandsons, Christopher and James, brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Marilyn Kochan and their children and families, Aunt Florence and Uncle Joseph Dziewisz, who played an important role in his life, and their families and his uncle Edward Dziewisz and his family. The family will greet visitors on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be conducted at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, December 10. Both services will be held at Frederick-Dean Funeral Home, 1801 Frederick Road, Opelika. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church in Opeilka, East Alabama Medical Center, Auburn Community Theater, or West Point Community Theater. The family will greet visitors on Friday, December 9, 2016 from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m.