Bill Cole retiring

Seventeen years after graduating high school, Bill Cole embarked on a new career that would take him into retirement, working in the funeral home business.

It's a role he said he first became interested in as a teenager. When he was a sophomore at Gatesville High School, a classmate died and Cole said he saw the value of being able to serve, encourage and support family members during one of the most difficult and emotional times of their lives.

Cole graduated from GHS in 1973 but set those dreams aside until 1989. In the meantime, he attended Temple College for two years and spent a semester at the University of Texas before working in the Temple and Belton areas.

In 1989, Cole attended mortuary school in Dallas, which was an 11-month program back then. He apprenticed with Lamar & Smith Funeral Home before having the opportunity to move back to Gatesville. He started working for Scott's Funeral Home in Gatesville in May 1990.

Cole's wife Annette, whom he met while they were attending Gatesville High School, helped him to purchase Scott's Funeral Home in 2007. It had been owned by different corporations for several years before that, until the Coles had the opportunity to purchase the business "and it became locally owned again."

Cole said Annette is the reason for his success.

"If it wasn't for Annette I couldn't have done this - it wouldn't have been possible," he said. "We've been married 45 years, and our first date was 50 years ago in November."

The Coles moved the business to its location on East Main Street in 2014, but they still own the previous location on East Leon Street. Cole said he and Annette plan to turn that building into an office suite. Annette, a certified public accountant, will have her office there.

Asked what the biggest challenge of his job is, Cole said it is the 24-hour a day, seven-day a week nature of the business.

"It can take time away from family," he said. Sometimes you might be attending a birthday party and you have to leave because you get a call (to serve a family). Of course, that means you're taking care of someone else's family.

"This is a rewarding job. I wouldn't trade it for another in the world. The community has been very good to us and we're very thankful."

Cole said he is gratified by "being able to comfort families, and I know most of the people because this is my hometown. I think they are more comfortable dealing with somebody they know."

There have been plenty of changes in the funeral business over the years as technology has increased, giving people the option for online obituaries, the ability to print registry books, provide video memories and in some cases live streaming.

"One thing that has not changed is the basic funeral service provided to families," he said, adding that Scott's Funeral Home still strives to provide comfort to families just as it has since 1907.

"Being able to offer that service to the families has really not changed and it should never change," Cole said.

Asked about plans for the next chapter of his life, Cole said those are still being determined.

"I'll still help out here if I'm needed," he said. "I want to spend more time with our three grandkids (two of whom live in Temple and another who lives in the Denton area), and I want to spend some time fishing and traveling.

"I've been working since I was 15. That's 51 years. It's kind of scary to get away but at the same time I want to enjoy what time I have left."

Daren Moore will continue to work at Scott's and take over operations, Cole said, and he added that he knows the same quality and commitment to service will continue.

"We are so thankful to the community for supporting us - we appreciate their trust. Scott's will continue to serve the community and offer that same level of care and service."

A retirement reception will be held for Cole from 2-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30 at 904 East Leon St.