William "Bill" E. Cole Obituary (1932

William “Bill” E. Cole, age 91, of North Port, FL, formerly of Pontiac, IL, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 22, 2024, at 10:27 p.m. at his daughter’s residence in Florida. Cremation rites have been accorded. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 6, 2024, at the First United Methodist Church in Pontiac, IL, with Revs. Gretchen Stinebaugh and Tiffany Black officiating. A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service, also at the church. Inurnment will follow at South Side Cemetery, Pontiac, with full military rites. Memorials in Bill’s memory may be made to the Pontiac War Museum or First United Methodist Church in Pontiac, IL. Calvert and Martin Funeral Home, Pontiac is handling his arrangements. Bill was born on October 1, 1932, in Pontiac, IL, to Harry and Myra (McCarrey) Cole. He married the love of his life and his rock: Kathryn “Kay” DeBolt on February 6, 1960. She survives in North Port, FL. He is also survived by his two daughters: Diane (Robert) Shepard of Knoxville, TN, and Nancy (David) Rambo of North Port, FL; three grandchildren: Kevin Shepard, Katie (Katie Taylor) Shepard, and Kristin (Xavier) Coker. He is preceded in death by his parents, and one brother: Stanley Cole. Bill graduated from Pontiac Township High School in 1950. He proudly served our country in the United States Air Force from June 22, 1952, to June 20, 1956. He served three of those years in Puerto Rico during the Korean Conflict and earned the rank of Sergeant. After his honorable discharge, Bill worked as an insurance adjuster with Country Mutual Insurance for 34 years. After his retirement in 1994, he kept busy by working part-time at Harris-Martin-Burke Funeral Home and continued when it changed to Calvert and Martin Funeral Home. He also volunteered at St. James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac for years. Mr. Cole was Citizen of the year in 1998. He was on the Pontiac Police and Fire Commission, chairman of the Livingston County Sheriff’s Merit Commission, Trustee for Pontiac Township, and a member of the Pontiac Planning Commission and J.P Yost Trust. He was also a member of the Pontiac Elk’s Club. Bill enjoyed fishing in local ponds and gardening. He was so proud of his garden at his home in Pontiac. He will truly be missed by all who knew and loved him. This obituary may be viewed, and a guestbook signed at www.calvertmemorial.com, or visit us on Facebook.