William Ronald Cockerille

William Ronald Cockerille, 76, passed away at his home in Aiken, South Carolina on March 11, 2026.

Born on January 30, 1950 in Warrenton, Virginia, Ron was the son of Stanley William Cockerille and Leona Allison Cockerille. At Fauquier High School he discovered a passion for photography and worked part time as a sports photographer for the Fauquier Democrat newspaper. Shortly after graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as a courier between Hanau and U.S. Army headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. He received an honorable discharge in April 1977.

Young and adventurous, Ron hitchhiked across America with little more than a camera and a duffle bag before settling in the San Francisco Bay area. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Photojournalism from San Jose State University and worked as a photojournalist for the Santa Cruz Sentinel. Inspired by combat photographer Robert Capa, he later moved to Redding, California, where he photographed forest fires for the Redding Record Sentinel. He eventually returned east to join the Augusta Chronicle in Georgia, where he covered multiple Masters Golf Tournaments and captured an iconic award-winning image of Tiger Woods in 1997.

A lifelong traveler, Ron journeyed across Europe and Asia, photographing cultures, towns, and landscapes with his Nikon cameras. Friendly, quick-witted, and instantly likeable, he cherished a small, intimate circle of friends. In 1995, while traveling in Nepal and India, he met the love of his life, Kelsang “Kass” Dolma. They married and shared 30 happy years together in Aiken.

Ron is survived by his beloved wife Kass, his daughter Robyn Burtnette of Virginia, and six grandchildren, Katie Harold, Ally Harold, Carolyne Harold, Lucy Harold, Lily Harold, and Ryan Harold. His family will honor his wishes by returning his ashes to the waters of the San Francisco Bay and the Ganges, two places he held dear throughout his life’s journey.