Willie "Bill" Gordon Coley Jr.'s Obituary
Willie "Bill" Gordon Coley Jr. was born on March 1, 1941 in Vallejo, California to Gordon and Elizabeth (Roark) Coley. Bill grew up in Longview and attended Southward, Foster, and was a proud member of Longview High's class of '59. He attended Abilene Christian College and returned to Longview to work with his father at Longview Brass and Aluminum Co. Bill and his brother; Alton Coley owned and operated the family business until Bill's retirement in 2011. Bill married Sandra Godwin on March 31, 1961. They spent the next 54 years together and raised two girls. From 1962-1967 Bill served in The Army National Guard.
Bill's hobbies included: golf, watching baseball, and collecting baseball memorabilia. He had a lifelong love of baseball, playing on sandlots with friends, and coaching. He and his wife enjoyed playing in many golf tournaments over the years. He was a lifelong member of the Church of Christ.
Bills daughter, Christie's fondest memories are of time spent with her dad playing catch with in the back yard. She was able to play catch with him one last time in the nursing home. His daughter Carla remembers how he loved birthdays, April Fool's jokes and the way he affectionately called her 'babe.'
Bill loved to play with his grandkids and is remembered most fondly for having tea parties with his granddaughters and playing T-ball with his grandson. On Christmas every year, Bill delighted his grandchildren by pretending that all the presents had been open, secretly saving the best gifts for last; bringing them out to squeals of surprise and joy!
He was extremely polite, kind, respectful, and generous; always a gentleman. He is remembered for his twinkling blue eyes, brilliant smile, quick wit, engaging sense of humor, and never wanting to eat his veggies.
Bill is survived by his wife of 54 years, Sandra Coley, his brother and sister in law Alton and Vickie Coley, his sister Martha Winans, daughters and sons in law Van and Carla Matthews, Kirk and Christie Eason, grandchildren Erica Wickes and husband Matt, Ginny Davidson and husband Jason, Evy Matthews, Coley Matthews, and great-grandchildren Elliot and Charlotte Wickes. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gordon and Elizabeth Coley, and his precious granddaughter, Morgan Matthews, who, we would like to believe is running to greet him.
Bill's wife wants to thank Billie Childree, Summer Meadows and Hearts Way Hospice for taking such good care of him during his final moments on earth. Memorials can be made in Bill's honor to the Longview Christian School Baseball program 1236 Pegues Place Longview, TX 75601.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 18th at 1:00 pm at Pine Tree Church of Christ. Funeral service will follow at 2:00. A private family burial to take place after services. Arrangements are under the care of Rader Funeral Home, Longview.
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