William Howard Cole Sr.

William H. "Bill" Cole, Sr. passed away on Saturday, December 6, 2014, at the age of 84 years. He was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana where he lived a very full life surrounded by family and friends in the city he loved; until he was rudely displaced to Gonzales, Louisiana by Hurricane Katrina. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of almost 63 years, Jane O'Neal Cole, his daughter, Debra Ann Cole and husband William J. Flowers, his son, William H. Cole, Jr. and his youngest daughter, Jane Cole Bucano and husband William E. Bucano. He remains the beloved "Pops" to his grandchildren Jyl Nicole Bucano, William Cole Flowers, Daniel Cole Flowers and Matthew Cole Flowers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Estelle Deris Cole and Frank C. Cole, Sr., his sister, Estelle C. Jeansonne, brother, Frank C. Cole, Jr., and his grandson, William H. Cole, III. Bill graduated from Samuel J. Peters High School in 1947 where his natural athletic abilities made him a star pitcher and allowed him to participate in almost every sport offered. He went on to play minor league baseball in the Evangeline League. He left baseball because even at such a young age he knew he didn't like the lifestyle and wanted a settled home and family life. He served in the Louisiana National Guard (enlisted Nov. 10, 1950). After a very interesting career, he retired in 1987 from the Teamsters' Local Union No. 270, in New Orleans, La where as a Business Agent he championed the causes of the working men and women of the city and the important goals of the labor movement. He was an avid and skilled outdoorsmen, a seriously good amateur chef and above all else a consummate family man. His family's hearts are broken. Relatives and friends are invited to attend visitation beginning at 12:00 noon with the Funeral Service following at 2:00 PM on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, La, 70124. Interment at Lake Lawn Park. Please visit and sign the family guest book at www.lakelawnmetairie.com.