Clarence "Bill" W. Cole

Clarence William (Bill) Cole passed away on August 15, 2020. Bill was born in Dennison, Ohio, March 15, 1949, to the late Clarence Alvin Cole and Margaret (McComb) Cole. Also preceding him in death are his grandparents William and Verna Cole, and his Uncle Frank and Aunt Ada (Garabrandt) who also played a large role in Bill's younger life.


Bill graduated from Indian Valley North High School in Midvale, Ohio in 1968. Bill entered the Army and reported for duty on February 4, 1969. He was a Vietnam Veteran, and honorably discharged from the United States Army on February 3, 1971.  Bill was proud to serve his country and quickly excelled, receiving a variety of awards and honors for his skills and services. He was ranked as a Sergeant in the 4th Armored Division of the 54th Infantry Regiment, holding the honors of the Old Guard, receiving the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Sharpshooter Badge (Rifle). During combat under heavy enemy fire, Bill was able to save the soldiers under his command in his squad and received the Purple Heart Medal, a medal given to service members that have sacrificed themselves, or paid the ultimate price, while in the line of duty.
Bill came back from Vietnam as a wounded Veteran. He fought the Vietnam war with his heart and mind. He loved hard and fought even harder with PTSD in his later years.


Bill's love for racing began early in life with his childhood lifelong friend Glen Jewell, of New Philadelphia, Ohio. They joined each other in either of their father’s garage and shared their love for building and racing stock cars. Bill and Glen grew up in Midvale and raced at Midvale Speedway in Midvale, Ohio for many years.  Bill's main love was racing and Nascar. He continued this love for racing to South West Florida and throughout his life. He was gifted in building race cars and building racing engines. He loved being in his garage in the evenings and at the racetracks on weekends with as many of his friends as possible. Bill was truly knowledgeable, talented, and creative. He loved giving advice and helping anyone who asked or listened. He had great architectural skills where he could draw up a design, and start building the plan. He owned his own Air Conditioning Company and fabricated his own ductwork. He built barns; he redesigned floor plans, he built additions onto houses, and he remodeled homes. 


He will be missed by his family, and all the friendships he has formed throughout his life.  Bill leaves behind his wife of 40 years, Marilyn Cole, of Lehigh Acres, Florida; His special sister; Lucinda Hamilton, of Mineral City, Ohio.


His children; Daughters; Amy (Mike) Schoelles, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Melissa (Mickey) Wright, of Cedartown, Georgia; Sons; Shannon Cole, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Chad (Brandi) Cole, of New Philadelphia, Ohio; Mitch (Angie) Swigert, Dennison, Ohio; William (Billy) Cole and (Lauren Thompson) of Alva, Florida.  Bill leaves behind nine grandchildren. Older Brother and Sister; Jim (Terri) Bieleski, of Pensacola, Florida, and Joy (Bieleski) Ickes of Plainfield, Ohio; along with his lifelong friend, Glen Jewell of New Philadelphia, Ohio.
 

May he rest in peace and watch over all of us. 


“I am an Old Guard Soldier. I represent the United States Army. To our nations and the world, I am a member of the Army’s oldest active Infantry Regiment. I will strive to uphold the honor, values, and tradition of those who came before me. I will never forget my responsibility to my fellow soldiers, my unit, and my country. I am an Old Guard Soldier.”


Arrangements are being handled by Johnson-Taylor Funeral & Cremation, Punta Gorda, Florida for burial in the Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia with full military honors at a later date with family and friends in attendance.