Wilbur Waldo Cole, 96 of Fair Bluff died March 18,2009 at Shoreland Healthcare in Whiteville. He was born in New Hanover County on January 3, 1913, son of the late Thomas Cole and Hattie Anderson Cole. The family moved to this area when he was very young and made their home at Spring Branch SC. He was a farmer in Columbus County for many years and operated Cole Milling Company in Fair Bluff for 45 years. He was a member of Fair Bluff Baptist Church and served on the Deacon Board for over 50 years. The Fair Bluff Rotary Club honored him with the "Man of the year" award in 1994. He was a member of the Fair Bluff Volunteer Fire Department for over 40 years and served as the "chief chef " for almost as many years. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Clara Hammond Cole and his second wife Sarah Bass Cole, and two sisters Reba Waddell and Myrtle Walters. Final rites will be held at 11 AM Saturday March 21, 2009 at Meares Funeral Home with Dr. Ray Lundy officiating. Interment will follow in the Spring Branch Baptist Church Cemetery. He is survived by a daughter, Carolyn Cole Elvington and her husband Brice of Fair Bluff; a step- daughter Cathy King and her husband Jeffrey and their children; a step-daughter Donna McCoy and her husband Harry and their children; a brother Raymond Cole and his wife Blanche of Nichols SC; a sister Lucille Tyler of Lake Wales FL; one granddaughter Lisa Claire Elvington and her husband Ron Kunkel, and one great - granddaughter Emma Nicole Kunkel all of Chapel Hill; 2 nieces and 3 nephews. The family will receive friends from 6 - 8 PM Friday March 20,2009 at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to The Fair Bluff Baptist Church, Christian Life Center, PO Box 217 Fair Bluff NC 28439 or to a charity of your choice.

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