Billy Brent Cole, 72, of McMinnville, a former Baker City resident, died June 21, 2009, at his home after a short battle with cancer, with his family at his side.
A service is scheduled at 2 p.m. Friday at Macy & Sons in McMinnville.
He was born on Sept 23, 1936, at Mound Valley, Kan., the oldest son of Rolland and Irene Cole. In 1942, Bill moved to the Baker City area with his family. He attended 12 years in the Baker schools, and in 1956 graduated from Oregon Technical Institute (now Oregon Institute of Technology) at Klamath Falls.
In 1958, Bill met and married the love of his life, Janice Kenison. The couple had two children: Lacey and Bill.
Bill and Janice made their homes at Monmouth, Baker City, and McMinnville.
Bill started as a machinist after graduation from OTI and eventually became a part owner in Oreland Industries with the Landgrafs at McMinnville. In retirement, he designed and built the BC Custom Competition Shotgun. Bill built more than 100 of these custom shotguns, which are known for their high performance, outstanding quality, and their precision metal work.
Bill was an avid hunter and trapshooter. He competed and hunted throughout the United States. He traveled to South Africa and Argentina, on the hunt for game and birds. He loved the companionship and challenge of golfing and shooting, as well as his alone time with a good book, family members said.
Survivors include his wife Janice; daughter Lacey Fiegi and her husband, Gary; son, Bill Cole and his wife, Cathy; four grandsons, Eric Fiegi, Ryan Fiegi and his wife, Jackie, and Andrew and Adam Cole; his sister, Joyce Kerns; brothers, Don and Lloyd Cole; several nieces and nephews; and many dear friends.
His parents preceded him in death.
A family cremation memorial will be scheduled later.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Online condolences may be left at this site: www.macyandson.com.
Used with permission from: Baker City Herald, Baker City, Oregon, June 24, 2009
Transcribed by: Belva Ticknor