William Howard Cole

SERVICES:  WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, 201111:00 A. M.FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHVISITATION:  TUESDAY, MARCH 15, 20115:00 - 8:00 P. M.INTERMENT:  CEDARLAWN CEMETERYOFFICIATING:  DR. DAN HOWARDDR. EUGENE DOBBSWilliam Howard Cole, born June 22, 1923, died March 14, 2011, age 87.  Mr. Cole was the founder of Radio Stations WHOC (AM) and WWSL (FM).  He was a lifetime member and past president of the Mississippi Broadcasters Association, past president of the Mississippi Easter Seals, a lifetime member and past deacon of First Baptist Church, Philadelphia, Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Gerry Williams Cole, his parents Mr. & Mrs. W. D. Cole, his brothers Wilbur Franks Cole, M. A. “Doc” Cole and Charles L. Cole as well as his sister Rosa Cole Spencer. He is survived by his children: David Cole and wife Sheree , Kevin Cole and wife Beverly, Laura Cole Thrash and her husband Randy and Leah Cole Jarrell and her husband Jody.  Grandchildren include:  Sean Cole and his wife Amy, Lauren Cole Mohseni and her husband Sean, Philip Cole, Sarah Cole, Neill Cole and his wife Julie, Leigh Cole and his wife April, Ellen Cole Wesson and her husband Ryan, Rebecca Cole, Leslie Mitchell and her husband Bryan, Lauren Crum, Haley Crum, Jason Thrash and his wife Mindy and Rachel Thrash Chew and her husband Cody.  Great grandchildren Emily Cole and Jason Cole Thrash II. Mr. Cole served in the U.S. Army from December 1, 1942 through February 26, 1946.  He served in the European Theater of Operations and was wounded twice in action on November 13, 1944 in Achain, France .  He was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, American Campaign Medal, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with two bronze stars), Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart and the Bronze Star. The family has requested that memorials may be made to The Cole Foundation c/o First Baptist Church, 414 Pecan Avenue, Philadelphia, MS  39350; the Baptist Children Village, Jackson, MS or the charity of your choice.