Wilberforce Cole
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race. I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing” 2 Timothy 7:4-8
On the morning of February 29, 2016, Wilberforce “Will” Cole passed away at Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital, Florence, Alabama, at the age of 84. Wilberforce “Will” was comforted by family members at the time of his passing.
Wilberforce “Will” Cole was born in the town of Killen in Lauderdale County, Alabama, on March 25, 1931. He was the sixth of 10 children born to the late John Cole and Ella Bailey Cole. Many people often asked where you get the name Wilberforce. Before his birth, a Methodist preacher presiding over a meeting in the area suggested to his mother, Ella, to name him Wilberforce. William Wilberforce was an 18th century abolitionist. Wilberforce University, established in 1856 near Xenia, Ohio, bears the name of William Wilberforce and was a joint venture between the Methodist Church and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Wilberforce “Will” was a 1951 graduate of Burrell Slater Normal School in Florence, Alabama, and a member of the 4-H Club (Head, Heart, Hands, Health). He attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama, until he was drafted into the United States Army. He served his country from 1952-1954 during the Korean Conflict and received the following medals: Army of Occupation Medal-Germany, National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal.
He was baptized by Brother David Shoals. Wilberforce “Will” had a great love for his Savor and the Northside Church of Christ in Center Star, Alabama. His servant life spanned decades to include bus driver, van driver, janitor, carpenter, electrician, supply purchaser, treasurer, and song leader. Whatever needed to be done, he did it. There were many times that the church needed work done and could not afford supplies and he would go ahead and pay for what was needed. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
He was employed by Southern Sash, Reynolds Metals as a pot man and foreman (1957-1992) and Republic Parking/City of Florence (1992-2011). Wilberforce “Will” had a love for the farm and agriculture. He produced cotton, raised hogs and Black Angus cattle. In 1981, “Wilberforce “Will” and his brother, John Bunyan, together, purchased the farm of their late great-grandfather, Thomas Bailey. Today, this land is still used for agricultural production. Wilberforce “Will” worked with other members of the Killen community to bring the volunteer ambulance service into existence.
His favorite sport was baseball and he loved to watch the Atlanta Braves and the LA Dodgers. He met Georgia Leatrice Echols at a church revival in Moulton, Alabama. On August 21, 1957, the two would join in marriage by Brother John Pruitt and spend the next 58 1/2 years building a life and raising their daughters, Patshenia Shelaine (Pat) and Katernia Williane (Kay) on the farm in Killen, Alabama.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Novella Cole Smith, brothers, Robert Howard Cole, Thomas Leroy Cole, Leon Lewis Cole, Clarence Edward Cole and John Bunyan Cole.
Survivors include his dedicated wife, Georgia Leatrice Echols Cole, of Killen; caring daughters and son-in-law, Patshenia Cole, of Killen, Alabama, and Katernia Cole Coffey (Willie), of Leighton, Alabama; two brothers, Paul Cole (Annie) and Calvin Cole (Mary), of Sheffield, Alabama; one sister, Ruth Tyler, Waukegan, Illinois; three brothers-in-law, Dr. Ben Echols (Debra), Houston, Texas, Dr. Richard Echols (Barbara), Baker, Louisiana, and Jimmy Echols (Gloria), Afton, Minnesota; six sisters- in-law, Loretta Noland (Carl), Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Dorothy Cole, Detroit Michigan; Rosie Cole and Willodean Younger, Florence, Alabama, Mattie Cole and Pearline Cole, Sheffield, Alabama; special and caring friends, Jessie Fuqua, Rogersville, Alabama, and Bettie Ivey, Athens, Alabama, Jack Peck and George Hamner, both of Killen, Alabama; devoted nephew, Dwight Cole, Florence, Alabama, and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Visitation will be Monday, March 7, 2016, from 6-8 p.m. at Thompson and Son Funeral Home, 415 S. Poplar St., Florence, Alabama.
Funeral service will be held on Tuesday, March 8, 2016, at noon at East Side Church of Christ, 600 E. Tombigbee St., Florence, Alabama 35630.
Burial in Tri-Cities Memorial Gardens, Florence, Alabama.
The body will be placed in the church at 11 a.m.
The public viewing will be Monday, 9 a.m- 8 p.m.
Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Florence, directing.
