William Lucien Cote, 85, of Mooresville, N.C., passed away on Friday, April 10, 2020, at the Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury, N.C. Born October 6, 1934, in Winchendon, Mass., he was a son of the late Andre and Reta Coderre Cote.

William served in the U.S. Air Force for over 20 years and served during the Korean War. As a civilian, he worked on contracts for the U.S. Department of Defense for Nuclear Metals in Massachusetts. Upon retirement, he became a school bus driver in Nashua, N.H., looking forward to seeing the children every day and safely taking them to school. He leaves many nieces and nephews, all of whom remember his silly jokes and love of ice cream, hotdogs, the Boston Red Sox, New England Patriots and lots of fried clams. Uncle Bill was the life of the party and always there to lend advice and a smile.

Bill leaves his wife of 40 years, Carole. They were best friends and built a beautiful life together, “dancing” from Massachusetts to New Hampshire to North Carolina. Bill is survived by his brother, Albert “Fran” Cote and his wife Betty of Massachusetts, and his sister, Ann Cormier and her husband Steven of California. Bill leaves his children, William Jr. and his wife Amanda of Maryland, Pamela and Paul Rogers of Mooresville, and Melissa and Tim King of Huntersville, N.C., in addition to eight loving grandchildren who adored their Papa — Hannah, Kristen, Abbigail, Rebecca, Nicholas, Isabella, Anthony and Daniel, with whom he participated in whatever sport they played, events at school and provided endless transportation and more donuts and ice cream for the grandchildren he loved.

The family will announce plans for a memorial service at a later date at the VA in Salisbury, and they ask that in lieu of flowers please send donations in William’s name to the St. Therese Catholic Church.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home, Mooresville, is serving the family of Mr. Cote. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.