William Currier Cole

William “Bill” Currier Cole passed away on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Born on May 2, 1929 to Adolphus Bruce Cole and Beatrice Lyon Cole, in Boone, North Carolina, Bill lived 95 years. 

He is remembered as a devoted husband to his dear wife Annette, and a loving example of honor, scholarship, hard work, and dedication to his children, friends and family. 

Bill graduated with a degree in geological engineering from North Carolina State College and was employed as a geologist in the western United States for various companies. He served at the US Atomic Commission in Grand Junction, Colorado and was the President of Mapco Minerals in Denver Colorado. He was in awe of the scenic beauty of the West from the moment he arrived and decided to make it his home for the rest of his life. Later in his career, after rising to the executive level of two companies, he retired and chose Genesee, Colorado at the foot of the majestic Rocky Mountains to reside.

Bill was a patriot and valiantly served his country in combat in the Korean War and finished his service as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve, attached to the First Marine Division that pushed the North Korean army north of the 38th parallel in North Korea. He bravely served under fire and was the last officer still alive after the war from his original unit. He was honorably released early from active duty because of his lengthy combat duty. 

He was an avid scholar of the Civil War and has a large volume of Civil War books in his library. Later, he was also appointed a Kentucky Colonel by the Governor of the state of Kentucky.

Bill was a devout Christian and practiced care for others. One of Bill’s favorite bible verses may have described his thoughts and feelings well, especially as he approached the end of his long, and honorable life. “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7) Bill also enjoyed good music and listened to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir’s Music and the Spoken Word each Sunday.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Annette D. Cole; children and stepchildren: Cynthia Ann Cole (Matthew Bennett); William Brooks Cole (Sabine Schuh); CareyLyn Carter (Douglas Goff, deceased) and her son (Gunnar J. Goff); Rock Carter (Peggy Carter) and their 4 sons, Russell (Natali) Carter, Jason (Jessica) Carter, Matthew (Becka) Carter, Rock (Courtney) Carter. He is also survived by his cherished nieces and nephews: Anne Leslie Stevens (Gary Stevens deceased), Philip Bruce Leslie (Leannah Leslie), and Bruce Rankin Cole.

Bill was also known as “Papa Cole” to 17 great grandchildren - Dylan, Christian, Griffin, Anders, ShayLynn, Maelie, Oliver, Camden, Jaxon, Reece, Daphne, Ethan, Jett, Rock, Annabelle, Jeter and Aubrey.

Bill was predeceased by his sister Doris Leslie (James R. Leslie also deceased) and brother Bruce Lyon Cole (Retta Rankin Cole also deceased).

Memorial Services will be held on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Horan & McConaty, 3101 S. Wadsworth Blvd, Lakewood Colorado. A viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., family gathering at 10:45 am, and Funeral Service at 11:00 am.

The burial will occur on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at 10:00 am at Golden Cemetery, 755 Ulysses Street, Golden, Colorado.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Bill’s favorite charity, Step Denver, https://stepdenver.org/, they are an organization that provides the resources to successfully help men addicted to alcohol claim sobriety.