WALTER GILSON COLE was born in Hamlet North Carolina on January 11, 1951. He was the 13th child of Mary and Marvin Cole. Walter began his educational journey at East Hamlet Elementary School, where he showed a great interest in education once he learned to read. In 1963, Walter's parents moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he continued his education at Audenried Junior High School. From there, he continued his education at the Walter B. Saul High School where the school's mission to, "Promote student leadership that makes a difference in our world," became Walter's own.

At W.B. Saul, Walter learned to apply his knowledge and skills to address environmental and agricultural challenges. Walter later graduated from Saul with honors, earning a two-year scholarship to The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State). There, he gained an interest in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC). During the Vietnam War, Walter would officially begin his military service by joining the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1971 to 1977. In his two years of active service, he lost no time. Walter was honorably discharged from the Marines in 1977, earning both a National Defense Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal.

After completing his military duties in 1977, Walter was employed by the Pennsylvania Lottery, where he worked as a lottery machine mechanic. The strenuous conditions of this job led to spinal injury and subsequent years of complications and pain.

Walter joined the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in 1963. He was known to be extremely generous, considerate, and kind to his family, friends, and coworkers. Walter was a gentle giant, often choosing silence instead of arguing. He enjoyed nothing more than reading the Bible and spending time with his family. He also loved watching movies and listening to music.

In the mid-2000s, Walter moved back to North Carolina, creating a comfortable home for himself and a space for gathering anytime his family visited. He enjoyed returning to Philadelphia each year for the holidays. His family knew they could depend on Walter to be at every Christmas dinner in his famous orange suit.

Walter, once again, moved to Philadelphia in 2017 to be closer to his family. They lavished love and appreciation on him for his life of service, and lovingly helped to care for him in any way they could. He lived at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Living Center (CLC) where the family visited him at least weekly until the Pandemic limited visitations for his safety. His birthdays were celebrated each year by family and friends with balloons, pizza, and cake.

On Wednesday, June 21, 2023, Walter passed away at Lankenau Hospital. Of his fifteen siblings, those left to mourn him are Hattie Thelmon, Jimmy Lee Cole, Rosetta Dixson, Dorothy Logan, Celeste Smith, Christine Davies, Betty Kelley, and Edward Cole. He leaves four brothers-in law Earl Dixon, Charles Smith, Edward Alphonso III (Okeke Davies), and Joma Mitchell, and a host of nephews, nieces, grand-nephews, grand-nieces, relatives, and special friends.

"To those I may have wronged, I ask forgiveness.

To those I may have helped, I wish I did more.

To those I neglected to help, I ask for understanding.

To those who helped me, I sincerely thank you so much…"