William Charles Cole
July 8, 1964 to October 22, 2023
“Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength; They will soar on wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31
Bill, Dad, Billy. . . . until we meet again, you are and always will be the light of our lives. We are comforted knowing you are finally in heaven and no longer suffering.
A deep place is vacant within our hearts, which will never be filled. We wish God could have spared you this terrible rare and incurable illness, Stiff Person Syndrome, which you battled valiantly, relentlessly, and gracefully over the past 14 years. During this time, you persistently demonstrated what true strength, grace, and determination look like, not only to us, but to the world. This resilience will be one of your many legacies. However, not the most prominent one. Your true legacy is that you were tough, strong, smart, kind, caring, compassionate, supportive, and loved by many. You made a profound impact on everyone you interacted with from a very young age until the day you died. You were extraordinary and will truly be missed forever.
We hold you close within our hearts, and there you will remain to walk us through our lives as an angel in heaven. So, rest now, in peace, pain-free until we meet again. Thank you for all you have done for your family, friends, strangers, and everyone.
Billy was born to William Frances Cole and Betty Jane Barnhart. In a family of seven children, he was the second youngest. He loved all his siblings dearly and is fondly remembered for a big smile and for tormenting them, often with a twinkle in his eye. He had a good childhood and was academically and athletically successful in high school as a state-champion wrestler. He graduated from Northern Arizona University (NAU) with straight A’s (Summa Cum Laude). Finding his passion, Bill excelled in law school at the University of San Diego School of Law, where he was Lead Articles Editor for the San Diego Law Review, competed on the Moot Court Trial Team, and graduated Cum Laude.
After completing law school, he became a lawyer in San Diego, California, at one of the largest and most recognized law firms in the world, Baker and McKenzie. After moving to Boise, Idaho to raise his family in a more wholesome environment, he built a successful business law practice as a partner at Givens Pursley LLP, a prestigious law firm. Bill was a tireless advocate who sincerely loved his career, law firm, partners, colleagues, and clients.
Bill was an incredible husband to the love of his life, Patty, whom he truly loved and cherished deeply. They met at NAU through a mutual friend. Many admired their love, as it was palpable from the moment they met, a true love at first sight. This love remains as strong and as undeniable now as it was the day they met. They married on January 2nd, 1988, surrounded by their friends and family. Bill and Patty were truly the best of friends and the love of each other’s life for nearly 36 years.
Bill set the gold standard for fatherhood when he became an amazing father to his three beautiful daughters, Katy, Caroline, and Kennedy, who loved him fiercely. He was actively involved in their lives until the day he passed and will be a guiding angel to them from this day forward.
Bill loved his dogs and had a deep love for all animals. He spent countless hours hunting with his bird dog, Lucy, who was one of his most loyal and loving companions. He loved his best cuddle buddy, Ace, who would always lie next to him and rarely leave his side. He had a special love for Mac, who is equally mischievous as Bill, and brought him joy and laughter on the tough days. We envision Bill rejoining Lucy in heaven, and it’s comforting to know that after he finishes a long arduous mountain bike ride, that they will be chukar hunting together once again.
Bill was a strong man, holding fast to his beliefs, defending those he loved, and always seeking to better himself and help others.
“So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
A memorial service will be held at 4 P.M., Thursday, November 16th, 2023 at Eastwind Community Church, 4750 S Surprise Way, Boise, ID 83716. A celebration of life will follow at Barber Park Event Center, 4049 S Eckert Rd., Boise, ID 83716.
It is impossible to do justice to all of Bill’s accomplishments here. If you are interested in viewing the extent of his accolades, please follow the link posted here to his professional profile on the Givens Persley LLP website: https://givenspursley.com/people/william-c-cole
If you have pictures to share or would like to view pictures of Bill’s life, you may follow the Google Photos link with is posted here: https://photos.app.goo.go/93eMda1Fx5Je9Paw7
For those unable to travel, you can follow the virtual link during Bill’s memorial service at Eastwind Community Church here:
https://youtube.com/@eastwindcommunitychurch324?si=U0wjQGiK69qLqYyM
The family requests that memorial gifts be made in support of the William C. Cole Fund at the University of Idaho. Checks made payable to U of I Foundation can be mailed to:
University of Idaho Foundation
Attn: Gift Processing
875 Perimeter Dr – MS 3143
Moscow, ID 83844-3143
Or you may make a gift online at University of Idaho Giving. Please indicate that the gift is in memory of William C. Cole by writing a memo on your check or marking the “in memory of” box when making a gift online.