Lifelong Greenville resident, Will Cole, 64, passed away on March 19, 2023, in Plano, Texas, after a short illness. He is survived by his daughter, Ashley Cole of Mesquite.
A celebration of Will’s life and legacy will be held at Family Fellowship of Greenville on 10:00 A.M., Saturday, March 25, 2023, at Family Fellowship with longtime friend, Rev. Joe Knight officiating. Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M., Friday, March 24, 2023, at Coker-Mathews Funeral Home. Interment will be in Etter Lake Cemetery.
Will was born October 27, 1958, in Amarillo, Texas, to John Marvin Cole and Ora Christine Ashburn.
He was once a professional tile and carpet layer before he found his life’s passion in Law Enforcement. Will’s stellar career included completing the Police Leadership Command College as well as holding a Master Peace Officer Certification and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. Will served the citizens of Greenville from 1987 – 2022 with the Greenville Police Department. His service and accomplishments are too numerous to mention but include the following: Will rose through the ranks until in October of 2019 he assumed the position of Assistant Chief of Police where he continued until his retirement in June of 2022. During this time, he also served as Acting Chief of Police. Will’s special assignments included Field Training Officer, Tactical Officer and Tactical Team Commander. Among the nearly 25 commendations he received were the Police Commendation Medal, a Certificate of Civic Achievement as well as the Kiwanis Officer of the Year award.
Among Will’s community achievements included the development of the ”Chief’s Working Group” partnering with the NAACP as well as other community groups in building relationships and solving issues with school aged youth. Will Cole’s accomplishments in life could never be completely understood within the bounds of Law Enforcement. Will was a committed follower of Christ and very active in his Church, Family Fellowship of Greenville. Will served in the children’s ministry for more than 20 years. He was also instrumental in the founding of the Family Fellowship Safety Team (now ERG) in 2010 where he continued to faithfully serve until his death. He was also active in a small group for more than 15 years. Always willing to help in any project, Will’s humility and true character was perhaps nowhere more easily witnessed than in the fact that every Sunday morning without fanfare, he made coffee for those who would attend the morning services.
Will Cole will be greatly missed by his daughter, Ashley and a host of friends and local community members.
Pallbearers from Greenville Police Department will be Scott Smith, Billy Rascoe, Steve Walden, Jeff Gore and Robert Pemberton.
Pallbearers from Family Fellowship of Greenville will be Donnie Barker, Steve Johnson, Dean Harrison, and Larry Patterson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Mike Johnston, Harold Roseberry, James Hamilton, Kenneth Humble, and a host of past and present Greenville Police Officers.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to RAFFA Clinic, PO Box 9325, Greenville, Texas 75404. www.raffaclinic.org
