Obituary of William Bates Cole

Cole, William Bates, of Sun City Center, formerly of Coral Gables, was born June 20, 1912, and died February 15, 2011, in Jacksonville, Florida. He was born in Deland, Florida, to Mary Bates Cole and William Cole. He grew up in Orlando and graduated from Orlando High School in 1930 before attending the University of Florida, from which he graduated in 1935 with a degree in industrial engineering. He moved to Miami in 1935 and worked for the Federal Housing Administration. He served in the U.S. Navy as Lieutenant (junior grade) and was in the Pacific in 1944 and 1945. After the war, he returned to Miami and worked as a real estate appraiser for Walter Harris. He was awarded the MAI designation by the American Institute of Real Estate Appraisers and founded Cole Appraisal Company in 1952. Active in the appraisal profession, he was president of the South Florida Chapter, a member of the Governing Council, and Regional Vice President. He was married to Helen Ellison in 1939. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Riviera Country, Beach Colony, and Century clubs in Coral Gables, and the First United Methodist Church of Sun City Center. Bates was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his three children, Carlton William Cole (Andrea), Carol Cole McCrory, and William Bates Cole, Jr. (Sue); six grandchildren, Mary McCrory Williams (Anthony), Andrew Lynch Cole (Ann), Edward Bates Cole (Ruthie), William Bates Cole, III, Francesca Leto Cole, and Isobel Leto Cole; and five great-grandchildren, Ryan Anthony Williams, Tyler Jacob Williams, Olivia Butler Cole, Margaret Posey Cole, and Flora Elizabeth Cole. He was predeceased by Helen, his loving wife of 70 years, and his brother, Robert Bates Cole. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the memorial service, which will be at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2011, at the Sun City Center Funeral Home, 1851 Rickenbacker Drive, Sun City Center, Florida. 33573. (813) 634-9900. A memorial service will also be held in Horse Cove, North Carolina, this summer for family and friends in the area. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Church in the Wildwood, c/o Mr. Donald Edwards, Post Office Box 897, Highlands, North Carolina 28741.