William Hobart Cole, 85, of Hampton, passed away Friday, February 13, 2015, at his residence.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Charles Daniel and Mary Lucille Robinson Cole.
Mr. Cole served in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict and was a POW in North Korea. He was the recipient of several medals including The Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Prisoner of War, Army Good Conduct, National Defense, Korean Service, UN Korean Service, ROK War Service, ROK Disabled Vet., Army Service, and the Korean Com. He was a member of the DAV Chapter 38.
William was retired from the Veterans Administration. He was of the Free Will Baptist faith where he was active in all activities of the church. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by eight brothers and nine sisters and a son-in-law, Yancel Markland.
Survivors include his wife,:Joyce Jacqueline Hyder Cole; three daughters, Vivian Cole and husband Benny, Roan Mountain, Gail Markland, and Bobbie Chambers and husband Edward, all of Hampton; two sons, William D. “Danny” Cole and wife Gwendolyn, and James A. “Jim” Cole, Hampton; three granddaughters, Shelley Cole, Andrea Howard and Amber Cole; six grandsons, Brian Markland, Kenneth Chambers, Joshua Cole, Skyler Cole, Andrew Cole and B.J. Cole; three great-grandsons; one great-granddaughter; one step-great-granddaughter; two step-great-great-grandchildren; two brothers and one sister; several nieces and nephews; and a special friend, Nancy Webb.
Funeral services for William Hobart Cole will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, February 16, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Charlie Trivette and the Rev. Terry Richardson officiating. Music will be provided by Lindsey Harsh. Graveside services and interment will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, February 17, in the Hyder Cemetery (Piney Grove Community) with the Rev. Ted Lewis and the Rev. Henry Berry officiating. Active pallbearers will be grandsons. Honorary pallbearers will be friends, members of the DAV Chapter 38, Purple Heart members, Hershel Scalf, Scotty Hyder, Myron Hyder, Benny Cole, Ed Chambers, Tom McCloud, his caregivers, the staff of Avalon Hospice, Home Instead Nurses and the Primary Care Staff of the James H. QuillenVA Medical Center. The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. Friends may also visit with the family at the residence. Military Honors will be provided by the American Legion. Condolences may be sent to the family at website at www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Cole family.