Arsene
Arsene “Bill” Cote
Arsene Vincent “Bill” Cote, 88, of Sedalia, passed away Sunday, October 16, 2016, at Delmar Gardens in Lenexa, Kansas.
He was born April 18, 1928, in Stevens, South Dakota, son of Meddie and Emma Rose Girard Cote.
Mr. Cote grew up in Poncha, Nebraska on a farm. He was a 1948 graduate of Poncha High School and earned an A.A. in Business Management from State Fair Community College.
On May 31, 1956, in Sedalia, he married Betty Jean Randall, who survives of the home.
Mr. Cote was career military, serving in the United States Air Force for 26 years and 23 days. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his outstanding initiative, technical knowledge and skill, and dedicated professional performance. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2591 and Disabled American Veterans.
After retiring from the military, he worked 15 years for the State of Missouri as a job representative helping veterans find jobs. He was a member of the Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council.
He was past Worthy Patron and 50-year member of Pettis Chapter 279 Order of the Eastern Star; 50-year member of Oak Park Lodge in Montgomery, AL; member of the Scottish Rite; past Watchman Shepherd of White Shrine of Jerusalem; past Associate Guardian of Job’s Daughters Bethel 15 of Sedalia; past Advisor for Sedalia DeMolay; and was a member of Sedalia Knife and Fork Club.
He was raised Catholic and was a member of First Baptist Church of Sedalia. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards, bowling, going to the casinos and spending time with his family especially Jakob and Zackery. He always lovingly referred to them as “my boys.”
Bill lived by the philosophy that “there is pleasure enough in this world to make us wish to live.”
In addition to his wife of 60 years, he is survived by a daughter, Catherine “Cathy” Lash, of Lenexa, KS; a step daughter, Joyce Watson, of Blue Springs; five grandchildren, Jeff (Julie), Scott, Karen (Billy), Jakob and Zackery; and two great-grandchildren, Sammie and William. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Joan Cote, of Sioux City, IA, and Josephine Cote, of Grand Island, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Edna Josephine Cote on May 8, 1962; four brothers, Joseph, Freeman, Alcid and LeRoy; and a sister, Marie Peck.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2016, at Heckart Funeral Home, with Father Geoffrey Brooke officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20, at Heckart Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Catholic Community Hospice.
He was born April 18, 1928, in Stevens, South Dakota, son of Meddie and Emma Rose Girard Cote.
Mr. Cote grew up in Poncha, Nebraska on a farm. He was a 1948 graduate of Poncha High School and earned an A.A. in Business Management from State Fair Community College.
On May 31, 1956, in Sedalia, he married Betty Jean Randall, who survives of the home.
Mr. Cote was career military, serving in the United States Air Force for 26 years and 23 days. He served during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, reaching the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his outstanding initiative, technical knowledge and skill, and dedicated professional performance. He was a lifetime member of VFW Post 2591 and Disabled American Veterans.
After retiring from the military, he worked 15 years for the State of Missouri as a job representative helping veterans find jobs. He was a member of the Whiteman Air Force Base Community Council.
He was past Worthy Patron and 50-year member of Pettis Chapter 279 Order of the Eastern Star; 50-year member of Oak Park Lodge in Montgomery, AL; member of the Scottish Rite; past Watchman Shepherd of White Shrine of Jerusalem; past Associate Guardian of Job’s Daughters Bethel 15 of Sedalia; past Advisor for Sedalia DeMolay; and was a member of Sedalia Knife and Fork Club.
He was raised Catholic and was a member of First Baptist Church of Sedalia. He enjoyed traveling, fishing, playing cards, bowling, going to the casinos and spending time with his family especially Jakob and Zackery. He always lovingly referred to them as “my boys.”
Bill lived by the philosophy that “there is pleasure enough in this world to make us wish to live.”
In addition to his wife of 60 years, he is survived by a daughter, Catherine “Cathy” Lash, of Lenexa, KS; a step daughter, Joyce Watson, of Blue Springs; five grandchildren, Jeff (Julie), Scott, Karen (Billy), Jakob and Zackery; and two great-grandchildren, Sammie and William. He is also survived by two sisters-in-law, Joan Cote, of Sioux City, IA, and Josephine Cote, of Grand Island, NE; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Edna Josephine Cote on May 8, 1962; four brothers, Joseph, Freeman, Alcid and LeRoy; and a sister, Marie Peck.
Funeral services will be 1:30 p.m. Friday, October 21, 2016, at Heckart Funeral Home, with Father Geoffrey Brooke officiating.
Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery, with full military honors by the U.S. Air Force.
The family will receive friends from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, October 20, at Heckart Funeral Home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to Disabled American Veterans or Catholic Community Hospice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Arsene “Bill” Cote, please visit our flower store.
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