William Richard Cole Jr. (Billy)
Livestream Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjlGh5ensCk William Richard Cole Jr. (Billy), age 82, of Ames, died at ACCURA Health Care in Ames, surrounded by his family. A visitation will be 4:00-6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 21, with a Scripture service to follow at St. Cecilia Catholic Church, 2900 Hoover Ave., Ames, Iowa. You are encouraged to wear your favorite sports team attire to the visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 22, at St. Cecilia Catholic Church. A burial will take place at Ames Municipal Cemetery immediately following the service. Billy was born in Oelwein, Iowa, on September 23, 1941, the son of William Richard Sr. and Irene (Clark) Cole. He grew up in Stanley, IA, and graduated from Oelwein High ...[more]View Full Online Obituary and Tributes
ool. He was married on October 8, 1962, to the love of his life, Betty Ann Veach and they spent 61 wonderful years together. Billy retired in 1979 after serving 20 years in the United States Air Force. He and Betty were stationed in Nebraska, Alaska, Missouri, Illinois, Alabama, and Nevada. Billy also served one year in Vietnam from 1969-1970. After retirement, the couple then moved to Ames, where they spent the remainder of their years together. Billy enjoyed spending time with his family, playing cards, and riding his bike. Billy was an avid softball player, playing until he was 75 years of age. Billy's greatest passion was spending time with his grandchildren, taking them camping, golf ball hunting, and Sunday night ice cream trips. Billy was a very faithful man and a member of St. Cecilia Catholic Church. Billy is survived by his wife, Betty; his children, William Richard (Gayle) Cole III of Cedar Rapids, Ann (Steve) Shuey, and Douglas (Dawn) Cole, all of Ames. Seven grandchildren: Stephanie Shuey, Patrick (Alex) Cole, Chelsey (Nic) Schultz, Dylan (Kaitlin) Cole, Aaron Schultz, Kendra Cole, Ryan (Valeria) Cole, and seven great-grandchildren, with one due in April. Billy is also survived by his siblings: Mike (Carole) Cole, Kathy (Jay) Mixdorf, Larry (Donna) Cole, and his Aunt JoAnn (Leo) Birchard, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank the staff at ACCURA Health Care Center and Suncrest Hospice for the wonderful care he received. Memorials may be directed to St Cecilia Catholic Church or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. Online condolences may be directed to www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
