Billy Edward Cole, 79, of Elizabethton, passed away Sunday, January 19, 2020, at Sycamore Shoals Hospital following an extended illness.
A native of Carter County, he was a son of the late Charles L. and Ethel Shoun Cole and preceded in death by his brother, Hursel Cole.
Billy was a graduate of Unaka High School, Class of 1958, and a graduate of East Tennessee State College with a degree in Engineering. He was a retired employee of General Shale as Project Engineer. After his retirement he especially enjoyed working on his farm with his cattle.
Survivors include his wife of 57 years, Linda Pleasant Cole; three daughters, Shelby Cole Rasnick and husband Doug, Barbara Curtis and husband Scott and Christy Simerly and friend Rick Barker; one granddaughter, Hannah Simerly Marshall and husband Caleb; also very special nieces, Ann Caskey and husband Mick, Lois Propst and husband Kenneth and Charlene Rinehardt and husband Greg; and three great-nieces, Betsy, Jenna and Amy.
Funeral services will be conducted at 6 p.m. Tuesday, January 21, at Memorial Funeral Chapel with Pastor Kenneth Jordan and Mr. Doug Rasnick officiating. Music will be provided by Mr. Dale Williams. The graveside service and interment will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, January 22, in the Caldwell Springs Cemetery with Pastor Eric Wright officiating. Active pallbearers, who are requested to assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, will be Doug Rasnick, Rick Barker, Caleb Marshall, Jackie Blevins, Joe Carrier and Ronnie Carrier. Honorary pallbearers will be his many friends on Stoney Creek, employees and former employees of General Shale and also his many friends at Willow Springs Baptist Church and Poplar Grove Baptist Church. The family would like to express a special “Thank You” to the nurses and staff of Sycamore Shoals Hospital and Ballard Hospice. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home. Family and friends will assemble at the funeral home at 12:20 p.m. Wednesday to go in procession to the cemetery. To those who prefer, memorials may be made in memory of Mr. Cole to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, 203 Meadowview Parkway, Suite 100, Kingsport, TN 37660 or the Shriners Hospital for Children, 950 W. Faris Road, Greenville, SC 29605-4255. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website, www.memorialfcelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is serving the Cole family.