William Hutchins Cole Jr.

William Hutchins Cole, Jr. of Birmingham, AL went to be with his Savior Jesus Christ on Tuesday, April 12, 2022 after a courageous eight-year struggle with COPD. Hutch was a kind, positive, hard-working servant who lived to make friends wherever he was and to have a positive impact in the world. He was a lifelong resident of Birmingham. He proudly earned his bachelors degree from Baylor University, Hankamer School of Business and completed graduate studies there as well. Following Baylor, he moved back to Birmingham to pursue his dream of working for the family business, Matthews Electric Supply Company, founded 1912. Hutch was named CEO of the company at age 35. He lead the company for over twenty years until selling it in 2003. After retiring from Matthews Electric, Hutch began volunteering with SCORE, where he served as a consultant to aspiring small business entrepreneurs. He assisted dozens of people in launching new enterprises. Hutch also did mission trips in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic with Brookwood Baptist church to do micro-enterprise consulting for economic development in impoverished areas. He enjoyed his friendships at Mountain Brook Club and attended Brookwood Baptist Church. He made friends everywhere he went and had a special host of friends in Waynesville, NC and Orlando, FL.

He is preceded in death by his mother, Harriet Matthews Cole Zimmerman; his father, Judge William Hutchins Cole, Sr; his sister, Harriet Lee Wiltsie; and his grandson, Richard Cameron Cole, Jr.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Jane Mackey Cole; children, Trey and Christine Cole, Lisa and Jeremy Clark, and Cameron and Lauren Cole; grandchildren, Chloe Clark, Mary Matthews Cole, Hutch Cole, Knox Cole, and Peter Anella; and siblings Judge Bill and Kelli Cole, Jody Cole, Buddy Wiltsie, and Matt and Andrea Cole. Hutch and his family are particularly grateful for the remarkable care and quality of life afforded to him by his doctor, Dr. Mark Dransfield and the pulmonology staff of UAB. In light of this, the family asks that memorials be sent to UAB Pulmonary Patient Assistance Fund. These gifts can be mailed to UAB Gift Records, AB1230, 1720 2nd Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35294 or online at giving.uab.edu. A celebration of life will occur on Friday, April 15 at 2:00PM at Brookwood Baptist Church with visitation to occur immediately after the service.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridoutsvalleychapel.com for the Cole family.