COLE, Guilford Taylor (Bill), born November 26, 1895, Waynesboro, Tennessee; died June 29, 1977, Waynesboro, Tennessee; buried Wayne County Memorial Gardens. He was the son of Jasper Edgar COLE and Sallie Priscilla BLACK (TAYLOR) COLE and was a grandson of Judge John H. COLE and wife Adeline (LINN) COLE. He was educated in the Wayne County Schools.
Military record: Enlisted October 15, 1918 at Waynesboro, Tenn. Received Student Army Training at Terre Haute, Indiana. He was 23 years of age and served his time in the regular Infantry. He was honorably discharged by reason of expiration of term of service.
He married June 2, 1919 to Mary Lou DANIEL of the Indian Creek Community. They were married in Waynesboro, Tenn. As of October 1990 there were eight living children – five boys and three girls.
Before marriage and enlistment in the Army, he was engaged in carpentry and auto mechanics. He was one of the first automobile drivers in Wayne County and was the driver for the Wayne County Superintendent of Schools. Drove to many “spelling bees”. Met our mother at a spelling bee on Indian Creek.
After marriage he moved to Florence, AL in 1924 and was employed by the US Corps of Engineers at both Wheeler and Wilson Dams. It was here that he learned brick laying and concrete work. He was transferred to Cairo, Illinois to continue masonry on the “locks” (Dam No. 53).
He returned to Waynesboro in 1929 and continued with carpentry and masonry until employment with the Tennessee Valley Authority as a foreman and supervisor in masonry work. After retiring from the TVA he was elected Sheriff of Wayne County and served one term. He continued in carpentry and masonry until illness overcame him. He built many nice fireplaces in Wayne County.
Mr. COLE was interested in wildlife conservation, mechanical equipment, family and friends. He was a great baseball fan and player. He played first base and right field. Played in the Southern Illinois Minor League and was credited with many “home runs” with loaded bases.
During the last eight years before his death he was confined to a wheelchair because of illness and the loss of one leg. He continued to be interested in many things, became a avid reader and loved to go for automobile rides.
He was a member of the American Legion, Post 130 for many years and had been a member of the Methodist Church since 1916.
Obituary
Wayne County News, 1977
Final rites for Guilford (Bill) COLE, 81, of Waynesboro were conducted July 1 at 4 o’clock from Middle Tennessee Funeral Home Chapel with Glen BONNER and Rex TURMAN officiating. Burial was in Memory Gardens.
Mr. COLE died unexpectedly June 29 at Wayne County General Hospital
He was a native of Wayne County, a son of the late Jasper and Sallie Taylor COLE. Mr. COLE was a former Sheriff of Wayne County, a veteran of World War I, a retired brick-layer and a member of the Methodist Church.
Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mary Lou DANIEL COLE; five sons, James of Knoxville, Jasper of Mesa, Arizona, and Harold, Robert and David COLE all of Waynesboro; three daughters, Mrs. Louise PIERSON of Sioux City, Iowa, Mrs. Marie ROVERE of Florence, Ala. and Mrs. Doris HAUS of Detroit, Mich.; a brother, John COLE of New Mexico; three sisters, Mrs. Marion CREWS of Waynesboro and Mrs. Edgar MILLER and Mrs. Alma HENSON both of Knoxville; 17 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.