Willie James Cole

Willie James Cole made his transition on Tuesday, December 03, 2019.  He was born on September 12, 1943, born to the late James and Elizabeth Cole in West Enterprise, MS; he is the eldest of fifteen. 

Willie moved to Chicago, IL but was mainly raised in Hammond, IN where he graduated from Hammond Technical-Vocational High School in June 1962.  Willie obtained employment at Inland Steel as a Test Burner.  In November 1966, he joined the U.S. Army where he was trained at Fort Bliss, TX as a Radar and Analog Computer Maintenance Specialist and was stationed at the 60th Artillery, Munster, IN.  Willie separated from the military with an honorable discharge and returned to his position at Inland Steel.  In 1973, he took residence in Chicago, IL where he found employment at Honeywell as a Title-Production Supervisor.  He Joined the Chicago postal service in 1984 and transferred to the Birmingham branch in 1993, where he retired in August 2001.  Willie moved to Harker Heights, TX in 2016 and later to Havre De Grace, MD in 2017.

Willie professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was baptized on December 17,  2006, at Mount Nebo Missionary Baptist Church where he was also ordained as a deacon.  He continued to serve at Word of Faith as the Senior Deacon and a member of the choir, serving faithfully until his health failed.

Willie loved serving God, fishing, antique cars, football and working on his 1970 GMC Pickup.

He was preceded in death by his father James Robert Cole Sr., (Deceased 2003), mother Elizabeth Ricks, (Deceased 2009), and sister Shelia L. Jennings (Deceased 1988).

Willie leaves to cherish his precious memories, two girls: Latrice Davis of Minneapolis, MN and Tawana Cole of Chicago, IL; three sons; Ronald Cole (Shanekia) of Havre De Grace, MD, Willie Grace Sr. of Gary, IN, Willie Cole Jr. of Warrenville, IL; twelve grandchildren: Davida, Ronald Cole Jr. & Reagan Cole; Jerdale, Vernon, Ashley Christopher and Willie (Jr.) Grace, Jasmine Brown, Jessica Randolph, Zion Davis, and Harmony Moore; seven great-grandchildren: Jayden, Jeremiah, Olivia, Brooklyn, Aaron, Ameris, and Ariya Grace: father: James Robert Cole Sr., deceased 2003; mother: Elizabeth Ricks, deceased 2009; mother: Nancy P. Cole,  Hattiesburg, MS; sisters: Rosie Ricks, MelBourne, Florida, Adaria (deceased) (Ellis Sr.) Powell, Chicago, IL, Maxine Butler-Tallahassee, Florida, Calcena Gibson (Melvin Gibson) San Antonio Texas, Joyce Ann Eaker-Warren Robins, Georgia, Janis Y. Cole-Hazlehurst, Mississippi, Linda L. Cole-Ellisville, Mississippi, Sheila L. Jennings (deceased) 1988, Brenda L. Thames (Percy Thames) Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Patricia Soucy (Kevin Soucy) Orlando, Florida, Gwendolyn Cole-Chicago, Illinois, and W. Rebecca Brown (Sherwood Brown) Tallahassee, Florida; brothers: Charlie Ricks Jr., Bizmarck, North Dakota , and James Robert Cole Jr. -Chicago, Illinois; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

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