William Franklin Cole Jr.

January 29, 1952-January 15, 2026

Rowlett, Tx.

William Franklin Cole Jr., age 73, surrounded by his adoring family, was welcomed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday,  January 15, 2026.  Born on Tuesday, January 29, 1952, in Dallas, TX, William (Frank) was the youngest child of William and Ruby Cole.  

On August 6, 1971, he married his high school sweetheart, Joan, and enjoyed a marriage of over 54 years together.  Joan lovingly took care of him to his last breath.   

William was a bookkeeper by trade and an exceptional artist.  For past times, he enjoyed working on his laptop while listening to music (John Denver and the Carpenters were some of his favorites), watching movies like Avonlea, and going on walks or throwing a frisbee with his kids.  Seeing his own children become parents and knowing his grandchildren one day was always something he talked about and looked forward to.  He enjoyed them very much.

To know William was to know a gentle man.  His patience, calm attitude, and kindness never ceased to be a blessing to those he encountered.  He was a father that never let a day go by without telling his wife or his children that he loved them.  That was something that they never doubted.

William leaves behind his loving wife Joan; his adoring children- William (Michelle) Cole III, Christina (Levi) McDonald, and Jason (Kelly) Cole; his precious grandchildren- Audra Grace McDonald, William Donovan Cole, Adelaide Hope McDonald, Elliana Elaine Cole, Charlotte Joyce McDonald, Cyrus Alireza Cole, Annaliyah Michelle Cole, Theodore Aaron McDonald, and Atreus Amir Cole; his sweet mother-in-law Joyce Thurber; his dear in-laws and friends.

William was preceded in death by his parents William and Ruby Cole; his sisters Margaret Leslie and Louise Womack, and his brother-in-law Charles Womack.

We rejoice in the promise of heaven! Though we mourn, we know that this is not the end of the story.  Because of Jesus, we will meet again.

A private graveside service will be held for his loving family.

“What rejoicing in His presence, 

When are banished grief and pain;

When the crooked ways are straightened,

And the dark things shall be plain.

Face to face! O blissful moment! 

Face to face-to see and know;

Face to face with my Redeemer,

Jesus Christ who loves me so.”