Genesis 18:19 "For I have chosen him so that he will command his children and his household after him to keep the way of the LORD by doing what is right and just..."
Deacon William Arthur Coles, Sr., affectionately known as "Doc," was born on May 2, 1929, to the late William and Ruby Coles in Buckingham, Virginia. After a heroic fight, he departed this life on December 20, 2021, at his home in Prospect, Virginia, surrounded by his loved ones.
Doc was raised in Buckingham County, where he also attended public schools. Along the way, he acquired the nickname "Doc" because of his common sense knowledge and experience in many areas. Like many of the men of his time, Doc wasn't afraid to wear many hats to provide for his growing family. He was a farmer, logger, builder, well-digger, mechanic, and a fearless raider of honey from beehives.
Everyone knew he had two other loves in his life outside of his family. He loved deer hunting season, and even more, he loved serving at New Store Baptist Church, Buckingham, VA. It was there he accepted Christ at an early age and remained a faithful member until his death. He whole-heartedly served New Store and other churches in various capacities throughout his life. Doc faithfully took up the reins as Sunday School Teacher at New Store and within the Sunday School Unions, Superintendent, Chairman of the Deacon Board, interim church leader in the absence of a pastor, and member of the Prince Edward County Deacon’s Union.
Doc was a proud veteran of the United States Army and member of the military VFW organization. After bravely serving his country in the Korean War, he received an honorable discharge before returning home to his first wife, the late Evelyn Brightwell Coles. After her untimely death, he met and married the late Nellie Brown Coles.
Doc's role as an instructive father to his 12 children extended to his grand and great-grandchildren, as well as, the children within the community. He taught them to keep the way of the Lord by doing what was right and what was just. He showed them what hard work and dedication to home and family meant. He instilled the importance of education into them, sending 10 of 12 children to college. He always faced life’s adversities with resilience, strength, and a smile.
Deacon Coles was preceded in death by his wives, Evelyn and Nellie Coles; daughter Dale Hicks; sons-in-law, Jeffrey Norman and Howard Hicks; 4 grandchildren and 11 siblings.
He leaves many loved ones to cherish precious memories. His children: Dorothy Irene (Larry) Barksdale, Ronald (Karen) Coles, Larry (Beverly) Coles, Cynthia Diane (John) Smith, Gerald (Sannette) Coles, Carl (Elaine) Coles, Audrey Norman, Andrew "Andy" Chambers, William "Buck" (Sybil) Coles, Jr., Isaiah "Zeke" Chambers, and Irma (Sylvain) Exantus. He also leaves a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and a Godson, Bob English.
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