Frank ‘Bill’ Cole passed on Friday May 20, 2022. Frank was born on March 13, 1927 to Lucy V. (Wise) Cole and Fred Cole in Spearville, Kansas. ‘Bill’ was raised for much of his young life on a family farm in Jetmore, Hodgeman County, Kansas. During the Great Depression he farmed alongside his father being the oldest son of 6 children. When World War II came along ‘Bill’ was anxious to join and became a member of the US Navy after graduating from high school early. He will eventually serve for 22 years in the United States Navy navigating events of the Cold War including being assigned as a member of Alan Shepard’s medical team for Shepard’s historic orbit around the earth. In 1951 Bill married Ileana Lebron with whom he had 7 children. Ileana predeceased Bill in 1965 and is buried in the Jetmore Cemetery. Bill re-married in 1967 to Zita Marie (Henley) Cole. Zita brought 3 daughters to the marriage for a total of 10.

Adult children include Linda Kay Henley Allen (Franklin), Gloria Henley Smith, (Randy),Frank William Cole, Jr(Lakay), Joyce Henley Balvocius, Federick B. Cole(Sally), Thomas W. Cole(Sheree), Gerard L. Cole(Sheila), Richard A. Cole, Ileana Marie (Cole) Arnt(Richard), Lucinda (Cole) Evans(Earle). Bill was predeceased by his second wife Zita Marie Henley and 2 adult children; Joyce Henley Balvocius and Richard A. Cole as well as 3 siblings Lawrence Cole, Mary (Cole) Sinclair and Daniel Cole. Naturally this large family will bring grandchildren and great grandchildren to enrich Bill’s life; 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. At 95 years of age his presence and common sense advice will be missed by all of his children. We love you Dad.

A graveside service will be held at the Fairmount Cemetery(Jetmore, KS) on Saturday August 13, 2022 at 11am followed by a reception at the King Center, Jetmore.