Cocos Plumbing History

William G. Cocos, Sr.

Plumbing Contractor Since 1925

William G. Cocos Plumbing was founded in 1925 by Romanian immigrant and U.S. army veteran, William G. Cocos. Cocos opened shop from his home in South St. Louis, and in 1936, moved his family to new home with a large garage from which he ran the business. The company continued to grow, and in 1946 a new headquarters was built at 738 Lemay Ferry Road. Today, Cocos Plumbing is a nationally recognized plumbing contractor serving residential, commercial, and industrial markets in the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Family Owned and Operated

In 1912, William G. Cocos, Sr., age 17, immigrated to the U.S. from what is now Romania, settling in St. Louis. He joined the U.S. Army and served in Europe during World War I. Following his discharge from service, he enrolled in training that was provided to veterans to become a plumber.

After completion of training in 1925, he started William G. Cocos Plumbing, working from his home on Tholozan in South St. Louis. In 1936, his family moved to a home at Degenhardt and Gentry in Lemay. The new home with a larger garage became the company’s new headquarters.

In 1946, William G. Cocos, Sr. built a new building for the growing business at 738 Lemay Ferry Road. That same year, his oldest son, Cornel, came aboard as an apprentice plumber following service in World War II. In 1952, his other son, William G. Cocos, Jr., graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and entered the business.

William G. Cocos, Sr. ran the business until his death in 1953, at which time Cornel and William G., Jr. assumed control of the plumbing company. In the mid-1970s, Cornel’s sons, William J. Cocos and Danial went to work at the firm. Dan’s sons, Joe and Ben, joined Cocos plumbing in 1991 and 2006 respectively.