William Joseph “Bill” Cole, 93, of Aurora, Ind., passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, at The Waters of Rising Sun. Bill was born in Ohio County, Ind., on January 8, 1931, a son of the late Ina May (Carrigan) Cole and John Benjamin Cole. Bill married Mary (Martin) Cole on July 7, 1955. Bill and Mary were together over 69 years until his passing. Bill was a proud veteran and enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War Era. He also did four tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Bill obtained the rank of Senior Master Sergeant and received numerous commendations during his 22 year career in the military. He was a member of Southeastern Indiana Korean War Veterans Chapter and a former member of the Rising Sun Masonic Lodge. Bill retired from the United States Postal Service in 1996 where he was employed as a mechanical technician for 10 years. Farming was always Bill’s true vocation and he loved the life he lived with his family on their farm on Salem Ridge.
 Bill is survived by his loving wife, Mary Cole, of Aurora; by four sons, William “Billy” Cole, James Cole (Debbie), Daniel Cole (Dolly) and John Cole, all of Aurora; by his grandchildren, Samantha, Ryan, Sara, Melissa and Joe and by his great-grandchildren, Elliott and Ella. Bill is also survived by a brother, Ralph Cole (Gloria) of Aurora. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, by a daughter Sally M. Cole, by brothers, John B. Cole Jr. and Stanley Cole and by sisters, Marie Fussnecker and Mildred Hancock.
 Funeral services with military honors will be 1 p.m., Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Markland Funeral Home in Rising Sun. Visitation will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, November 9, 2024, at Markland Funeral Home. Memorial donations may be made to the Waters of Rising Sun Activity Fund. marklandfuneralhome.com.