William Cole

William Clifford Cole, age 84, of Harriman, Tennessee, passed away on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee.

Clifford did not wish to be mourned but rather to be remembered as a person who loved life. Arrangements are being made for a military memorial service on November 24 in Knoxville, Tennessee, to celebrate his life.

Born in Rockwood, Tennessee, Clifford was the eldest child of Ocee Clifford Cole and Pauline Kesterson Cole. He is survived by his loving wife, Janice Dee Staley Cole; two twin sons, William Clifford Cole II, MD (Colleen) of Ohio and Joseph Barclay Cole (Seleena) of New York; his younger brother, Larry O. Cole (Beatrice) of Hartwell, Georgia; as well as his grandchildren - Marcus Cole, Gilbert Cole, Emerald Cole, Zach Cole, Cliff Cole, Abbigail Cole, and Whitley Johnson - and one great-grandson - Liam Johnson, and numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins.

Cliff graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1966 with a B.S. degree in Business Administration. It was there that he met his beloved wife, Janice Dee Staley Cole. He joined the Army, becoming a First Lieutenant, and served honorably during the Vietnam War.

His passions included being a dedicated 25-year member of the American Legion Post 53 in Harriman, Tennessee, serving on the Harriman Utilities Board, and being a long-time member of the VFW and the Harriman Jaycees. He also enjoyed fishing and storytelling, and he was a long-time member of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Harriman.

Services will be held at the East Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery, located at 2200 East Gov. John Sevier Highway (Hwy #168), Knoxville, Tennessee, on Monday, November 24, at 10:00 AM.

Schubert Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of William Clifford Cole.