Bill Coles

(From Parker Mortuary)

William Ira “Bill” Coles, age 91, Joplin, passed away on Sunday, July 4, 2021, with his family at his side.

Bill was born May 9, 1930, in Pittsburg, Kansas, son of the late William Baker Coles and Catherine Lavon (Clemens) Coles. He graduated from Pittsburg High School and then earned a degree in Petroleum Engineering from Tulsa University. 

He joined ROTC at TU and entered the United States Air Force after college and served as First Lieutenant during the Korean War. He then joined the USAF Reserves and was later honorably discharged with the rank of Captain.

 

Following his military career, Bill worked for Phillips Petroleum and then ran the Clemens family coal mine in Ohio for three years before returning to Joplin in 1963. His parents began Joplin Venetian Blind, Inc. on Main Street in 1939 and he took ownership in 1965. During this time, he was President of the Southwest Window Coverings Association for two years.

Over the years, Bill was active with the Kiwanis Club and the local Elks Lodge. He was a member of Briarbrook Country Club and Twin Hills Country Club, where he played many rounds of golf with friends and family.

He enjoyed spending time with his family and was proud of his children.

In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by a grandson, Matthew Coles Fox.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Jeannine Epperson Coles; sons, William Edward Coles of Kansas City, Missouri, Geoffrey L. Fox and wife Janet of Joplin, Christopher Leigh Fox and wife Tammy of Joplin, and Charles Gene “Geno” Fox and wife Tracy of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; grandchildren, Tiffany Fox of Joplin, Chase Fox and wife Jeanna of Webb City, Julianna Fox and husband Mark Audrain of Kansas City, Missouri, Katharine Fox and husband Will Dimmit of Seattle, Washington, Joshua Fox and wife Airica of Cassville, Missouri, and Michalla Jackson of Sand Springs, Oklahoma; 12 great-grandchildren.

Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary Catholic Church with Father Joe Weidenbenner officiating.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be directed to St. Mary Catholic School, 3025 S. Central City Rd., Joplin, MO, 64804.