William "Bill" Cole, 91, of Charles City, died Tuesday, January 26, 2010, at the Floyd County Medical Center in Charles City after a long illness.

The Reverend Carl Ries will celebrate the Mass. There will be a flag presentation and taps by the Charles City Ceremonial Unit. Burial will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at the St. Frances De Sales Catholic Cemetery in Ossian. Monsignor Cletus J. Hawes will officiate.

William Cole was born September 8, 1918, at Postville, the son of Harry D. and Rose A. (Shaffer) Cole. He graduated from the Postville High School in 1936. Bill served in the United States Army from 1941 to 1945. On September 19, 1944, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Becker at the St. Frances De Sales Catholic Church in Ossian. He was employed as an agent for the Milwaukee Railroad from 1941 until his retirement in 1980. While living in Ossian, Bill also owned a TV repair business. Bill was a member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, V.F.W., past American Legion finance officer, Life Member of the National Rifle Association, American Radio Relay League, various amateur radio clubs, Rail Road Transportation Communication Union, 168th Infantry Headquarters Committee Association, 34th Infantry Division Association and the Quarter Century Wireless Association. His interests included woodworking, reading, crossword puzzles, gardening, Ham Radio, hunting and trap shooting.

Living family members include his wife, Kathryn Cole of Charles City; two children, Karen (Mark) Tyler of Cedar Rapids and William Cole of St. Louis, Mo.; four grandchildren, Christopher (Charity) Tyler, Sara Tyler, Brandon and Jordan Cole; one great granddaughter, Taylor Monnahan; sister, Jane Walsh of Westchester, Ill; sister-in-law, Doris Cole of Decorah; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Harry Cole; and sister, Margaret Heaverlo.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.

QSL provided by Pete NL7XM