Willard D Cole

Willard D. Cole, age 91, passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by his family. 

Willard was a native of Cole’s Bend in Barren County. He was born to the late Kirk L. Cole and Audrey Lowe Cole. 

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by five brothers, Kenneth, Don, Ralph, David and Steven and two sisters, Eleanor Dawsey and Katheleen Schickel and his eldest son, Stephen D. Cole.

Willard served in the Army during the Korean War. He was employed at Holley Carburetor for 31 years. Willard managed tobacco warehouses for 17 years after that. He farmed throughout his whole life.

Willard was saved and baptized while his family attended Burton Memorial Methodist Church in Bowling Green, KY. He has been an active member of Cumberland Presbyterian Church for 50 years. He was a member of the Oakland Masonic Lodge #563 for over 60 years.

Leaving to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Mary Ann Elkin Cole, one son, Mark Cole (Janet); three daughters, Renai Richey Wiggins (Don), Lesli Mitchell (Graham) and Mary Kirk Holbrook (Luke); one sister, Joann Puckett; nine grandchildren, Matthew Cole (Jill), Stephanie Nester (Dean), Gabrielle White (Richard), Michael Richey, Stuart Cole (Meghan), Andrew Cole, Kassie Mitchell (Austin) Abby and Frazier Holbrook; 11 great grandchildren and one great great grandson and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Willard’s funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Hardy and Son Funeral Home, Bowling Green Chapel with burial in Smiths Grove Cemetery. Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Friday with Masonic Service at 7 p.m. and Saturday 9-11 a.m. at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Bowling Green Cumberland Presbyterian Church or Hosparus Health Barren River.