Willis “Bill” Clare Cole was born April 30, 1937, the son of Willis and Emma (Johnson) Cole in East Chain, Minn. Growing up Bill attended school in East Chain and graduated from East Chain High School with the class of 1955.

On June 28, 1958, Bill was united in marriage to Carolyn Teigland in East Chain, Minn. They were blessed with three boys, Kevin, Scott, and Byron. He worked for the Pilot Grove Lumber Company for 11 years and then moved his family to Fairmont in 1969. Bill then began his employment with the City of Fairmont where he worked at the Fairmont Water Filtration Plant. During his 30-year employment, he started his career as an operator and worked his way up to the City Chemist.

Bill enjoyed family camping trips and traveling to Branson with Carolyn. He had a workshop in the house where he enjoyed woodworking and carpentry projects. Bill was very active in Boy Scouts, serving as Cub Master, Scout Master, and on various district and council committees. Bill received the highest award of Silver Beaver while scouting.

Carolyn passed away on March 11, 2001. Bill was blessed to find love and companionship when he met and married Mary Jo Post on Sept. 23, 2001. Bill and Mary Jo made their home in Fairmont to be closer to Bill’s grandchildren. They often traveled for painting conventions, NASCAR races, antique shops, and various Casinos. Bill and Mary Jo took many tours around the country with traveling groups and enjoyed traveling to Florida to watch the Minnesota Twins at training camp. They enjoyed bird watching while they traveled and always looked forward to their annual fishing trip to Canada. Mary Jo passed away on Oct. 31, 2016. In 2017, Bill met his special friend, Marcia Milbrandt. Bill and Marcia were travel companions for the last six and a half years. Together they enjoyed dining out and playing cards. Bill and Marcia also attended Bible Studies together, trying their luck at the casinos and going to various events with their many friends.

Left to cherish Bill’s memory are his children: Kevin (Marla) Cole, Scott (Mary) Cole, and Byron (Rita) Cole; grandchildren: Matthew (Zephanie) Cole, Brian Cole, Allen (Lexie) Cole, Andy (Delani) Cole, Dan (Josie) Cole, Amanda Cole, and McKenzie Cole; great-grandchildren: Maddi, Hadley, Holdon, Presley, Stevi, Wrenley, Laynna, Karsyn, and Bennett; sisters: Alice (Bill) Gies

and Beverly Ceaglske; special friend, Marcia Milbrandt and her family; brothers-in-law: Arlyn Jensen, Wendell Owens, Donnie Hansen, and Rick (Sue) Olive; other extended family and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Willis and Emma Cole; brother, Kenny Cole; wife, Carolyn Cole; wife, Mary Jo Cole; and other extended family and friends.

The family requests memorials be made in Bill’s name to Friends of Cedar Point and East Chain Lutheran Church.

www.lakeviewfuneralhome.net.

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]