William G. Cole, 85, Sand Springs Road, Ashville, died Friday at Altoona Regional.
He was born in Altoona, son of the late Earl and Ethel (Fleck) Cole.
Surviving are five children: Kathy McGeary of Melbourne, Fla., Loretto Imler of Indianapolis, Ind., and William J., Robin (Robert) Stasik and Matthew, all of Ashville; 11 grandchildren; David, Julie, Meggan, Jessica, Michael, Josh, Erin, Jonas, Sarah, Benjamin and Melanie; two great-grandchildren: Bailey and Adelynn; two sisters: Kathleen Stock of Hollidaysburg and Marylou (Charles) Scott of Duncansville; a brother, Robert (Mary Ann) of Hollidaysburg; brother-in-law, Merle Sims of Tyrone; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife, the former Doris "Dorie" Fahr on Feb. 26, 2007; a daughter, Barbara Ann; a brother, James; and brother-in-law, Donald Stock.
Mr. Cole was a U.S. Army veteran of World War II and served in occupied Germany. He retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad/Conrail in 1987 after 41 years of service. He was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ashville. He was a former member of Gallitzin American Legion and a member of Ashville VFW, Mountain Top Sportsmen's Club in Coupon and the NRA.
Bill enjoyed talking about working on steam engines, playing pinochle with his family, hunting and fishing.
Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, July 23, 2012, at Gibbons Funeral Home, Ashville, where a vigil service will be held Monday afternoon. A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, July 24, 2012, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Ashville, with the Rev. Sean Code, celebrant, and military rites by Ashville VFW and other local military organizations.
Committal will be at Blair Memorial Park, Bellwood.
In lieu of flowers, please make contributions in Bill's memory to the American Cancer Society.
