Hey Daddy,

Yesterday was your birthday...wish you were here with us so I could hear you say "I NEVER get a birthday cake" ...just because you already ate it didn't count!! Or getting to pick the restaurant on your special day...Jack's Burger's for the Coley family (Yum!!) And remember when Mom put you on a low sugar diet, after your heart surgery, and we put your birthday candles in a watermelon...I do!! I remember so many things everyday. Just the smallest little things can trigger a memory so strong - just like it was yesterday. Only it wasn't...But we're all doing fine & stayin' strong, just like you taught us to do. I Love & Miss You, Daddy...every single day of my life!!

Hi Bill, cant believe a year has passed since we have spoke, but I can still hear your strong voice speaking my name as you would always call me..when I answered the phone I would hear "Debbie" and then that brief moment of silence, it rings in my ear like a bell and I miss you. Keep watching down on us cause we have you in our hearts. Love and miss you.

Dad, it is almost 1 year ago that you left us and yet the pain of losing you is a real as if it was yesterday! Every day mom, Aimee and myself see or hear something that reminds us of you. We are moving on as I know you would have expected us to do. "Pick yourself up by the bootstraps and keep on going" so we are, as a family supporting each other. We love and miss you so very much. But, I know you already know this! We will be with you this May 5th, 2012. Look for the turtles, you know what I mean!

Dad, today you have been in my head in each deed in do. What are you trying to tell me? Momma is doing so well, you would be proud, but she misses you in every way. Everything reminds her of you and she tears up, but like a Coley, she stands tall and moves on. Your military flag is ready for display in my home and my little area shrine to you is such a comfort to me. I miss you so very much! Aimee is doing just what you expected of her, working hard and bringing home the good grades. I always think of your little teasing of her grades. She has made all of us proud, but she misses you more than any of us ever could imagine. Watch over her, guide her and keep her safe. Loving you forever!

I will definitely miss Mr. Coley. I remember how he would help referee at all our volleyball games at Gloria Dei and how that school could count on him for anything. He was a strong man who I very much respect and will miss him. He loved his family dearly. I am glad to know that now he is in heavenly home with our Lord Jesus Christ.

The memories I treasure of my younger years are at Roll-A-Way. I grew up at Roll-A-Way along with so many others. Mr. Coley was a father to all of his children at the rink.  I am blessed to have known you & am forever grateful to you & your family. You touched my life & you will forever live in my heart…

What we all hope to achieve in this world is to be remembered long after we have gone bill achieved that thru action .all my memories of him are of a strong and fair man. A man of clear purpose to help all he could and to better someone’s life .we had many conversations in my younger days about my direction in life and yes I listened and have thought of him many times in my life like a lot of his kids did and still do he guided and helped our family when we needed it most. He lives in me and a lot of others as well  ……..he has achieved

May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Mr. Coley,
 Where do I start.. Mr. Coley I feel you have blessed me in my life as a little girl. I admire you Mr. C you were like a father and friend to me. God now has you. As you look down on us keep us safe cover us up with your Angel wings and know we miss you...

My condolences go out to the family.  Mr. Coley was a great guy and I also have many memories from my childhood around the skating rink.  In many ways our skating teams were like a big family - we traveled together, ate together, and spent lots of time together. Mr. Coley will be missed.  God bless.

MR.COLEY, THE MEMORIES OF YEARS GONE BY, THE MEMORIES OF YOU IN OUR LIFE AS TEENAGERS WAS SOME OF THE BEST MEMORIES I HAVE WHEN WE SKATED. ALWAYS KNEW WE COULD DEPEND ON YOU TO HELP US AT ANYTIME..THANK YOU...

Dad,today was your day and what a grand "Celebration of Life" we had for you! Evan was perfect, just as you would have expected of him. There were tears of sadness and tears of joy. I know you were watching over all of us. I hope you were pleased. Missing you so much it hurts, but knowing the peace you feel helps to take away my pain, just like you took away any pain  I had during my 52 years. I Love you, daddy!

Mr. Coley shared so much with so many.  He was a coach, mentor, beloved father and husband.  He was not just Elaine & Carin's father, but was a father figure to so many others who needed him and his love during difficult times in our own lives.  He always encouraged us to strive to be the best that we could be.  True to his fatherly figure, we always had a safehaven at Rollaway.  Physically challenged to excel, we also gained self esteem and developed life skills that would take us farther than we could ever imagine.  There is no more pain for him, just eternal peace.  Love, thoughts and prayers are with Mrs. Coley, Carin & Elaine.

Dear Bill,
I know you are watching down on us and see many of your friends and family hurting and missing you. I will always remember you as being strong and determined.  You always told me "you gotta go slow to go fast".  I use that wisdom alot for so many things, making sure I take the time to get it right, I can still hear your voice saying those words. I will miss those out of the blue calls for sure but I will never forget you. I light this candle for you in peace.

The main memory I have of Mr. C, as soon as someone would spot him driving in the parking lot, we were all alerted immediately and then he would take 15 minutes to walk around the entire building to see what was going on out behind the air conditioning units.  Knowing what he said he found out there, I said to myself "if I ever have kids, they will NEVER go to a skating rink.  They were the best memories for us, but I guess things have changed.  I had the greatest respect for Mr. Coley, he was a great person!

Mr. Coley was a good man. All of us who hung out at "Rollaway" looked up to him as a Dad. He was always there if you needed him and supported you in any way he could. I spent a lot of time with him working at the rink during the day and skating at night. Those memories mean so much to me and will never be forgotten. 
We will miss you Mr. Coley..............

Mr C. 
Words can not express how you effected my life. Im glad that you were there in a time in my life when i needed a father figure. I will always be greatful for that. Im sadden that you are no longer here but at peace that you are NO longer suffering. You will be missed by "ALL".

Daddy, I know you hear me...I'm very happy that you are now at peace without any pain and suffering, but I'm so sad for our loss. Like you did all my life, please help me find the strength to get through this and to help Momma cope. I always knew you were there to guide me, teach me and pick me up when I fell. Please don't ever stop. I'm still listening.I Love You & Miss You With All My Heart!

Bill was respected and loved as Gloria Dei Academy's athletic director.  I don't think we ever thank him enough for his service and loyalty.    
God's Blessings to his family.

Karen Creed (School Board Chairman)

Dad, it is with a heavy heart that I find myself writing to you this way, but I watched you suffer every day since Aug. 20th. You are now free from pain and that makes me happy, I miss you like crazy and just love you to death. Don't worry about all your girls, you raised us to be strong and we will make you proud.

Mr. Coley touched so many lives at Gloria Dei Academy.  I have so much respect for the way he worked and lived his life.  I am so glad that I was able to know him.  He is dearly missed.

OBITUARY

William Coach Coley E. Coley

July 10, 1931 – May 5, 2011

Bailey Memorial

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