COLE

W. Ray Cole
William Ray Cole passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, April 21, 2012, at the age of 76.
He was born in Seagrove, and raised in Eagle Springs. He had been a resident of Hampton, Va., since 1962, and was a longtime member of Central Baptist Church.
When Ray was 23, he married Mary Caroline Hare. They lived their early married years in Texas as Ray served in the U.S. Army, stationed at the Killeen Air Base. He served honorably, first as a military police officer, and completed his time of service as a company armorer. He later spent a short time driving 18-wheel trucks. As he started a family, he went to work in the Newport News shipyard, where he spent most of his working days.
Ray was our family patriarch and an avid outdoorsman and mechanic. In his prime he was often found fishing or hunting with his son, brothers-in-law, nephews and other family members. In his later years he enjoyed many outings with his grandchildren to bluegrass music events.
He was a man of few words, high integrity, loyalty, and he selflessly served others. He was one of those people who had “never met a stranger,” and he always saw the good in others. He was a wonderful father across generations of children. His great pleasure was in time spent with family.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Sam and Nettie Cole.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Mary; a son, Stanley Ray Cole and wife, Lynn, of Poquoson, Va.; daughters, Anita Woodington and husband, Patrick, of Hayes, Va.; and Marsha Ingraldi and husband, Tony, of Yorktown, Va.; grandchildren, Erin Cole Cobb and husband Zac, Amy Cole, Morgan, Cole, Bryan, and Jamie Woodington; and Caroline, Colleen, Sam, Emily and Caleb Ray Ingraldi; and great-grandchildren, Ellie and Zayden Cobb. He is also survived by his siblings, Louvene King and husband G.B., Darrell Cole and wife, Ruby, Sylvia Cole Jones, and Joyce Smiley and husband, Joe.