Skip to content
Mortgage Payment
Envelope Facebook Twitter Linkedin Instagram
Search
Find a Branch
  • Home Page
  • Locations
  • Pick Your Mortgage
    • BuyAHome
    • SaveMoney
    • UseMyVABenefits
    • BuyBig
    • Remodel
    • HelpWithDownPayment
    • RuralHousing
    • CreditChallenged
    • RetireComfortably
  • Loan Options
    • TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS
    • Purchase
    • Refinance
    • Conventional Loan
    • FHA Loan
    • VA Loan
    • Jumbo Loan

    • SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
    • Home Select
    • Portfolio Lending
    • FHA Approved Condos
    • FHA No Credit Score
    • Reverse Mortgage
    • HERO Loan
    • USDA Loan
    • USDA Renovation
    • Physician Loan
    • Renovation Loan
    • HELOC
    • Self Employed
    • Down Payment Assistance Loans
    • First Time Home Buyers
    • Credit Challenged
    • Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages
    • Arrive Home Program
  • Apply now
    • Long Form
    • Short Form
  • Resources
    • Mortgage News
    • Geneva AMP
    • Mortgage Payment
    • Login to My Loan
    • Mortgage Calculators
    • Homebuyers Guide
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Today’s Rates
    • Mortgage Terms Defined
  • Home By Geneva
  • Careers
    • Branch & LO Opportunity
    • Operations
  • Our Story
    • About Geneva Financial
    • Leadership Team
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
    • Be A Good Human
    • Human Stories
    • Client Reviews
  • Home Page
  • Locations
  • Pick Your Mortgage
    • BuyAHome
    • SaveMoney
    • UseMyVABenefits
    • BuyBig
    • Remodel
    • HelpWithDownPayment
    • RuralHousing
    • CreditChallenged
    • RetireComfortably
  • Loan Options
    • TRADITIONAL PROGRAMS
    • Purchase
    • Refinance
    • Conventional Loan
    • FHA Loan
    • VA Loan
    • Jumbo Loan

    • SPECIALTY PRODUCTS
    • Home Select
    • Portfolio Lending
    • FHA Approved Condos
    • FHA No Credit Score
    • Reverse Mortgage
    • HERO Loan
    • USDA Loan
    • USDA Renovation
    • Physician Loan
    • Renovation Loan
    • HELOC
    • Self Employed
    • Down Payment Assistance Loans
    • First Time Home Buyers
    • Credit Challenged
    • Fixed vs. Adjustable Rate Mortgages
    • Arrive Home Program
  • Apply now
    • Long Form
    • Short Form
  • Resources
    • Mortgage News
    • Geneva AMP
    • Mortgage Payment
    • Login to My Loan
    • Mortgage Calculators
    • Homebuyers Guide
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Today’s Rates
    • Mortgage Terms Defined
  • Home By Geneva
  • Careers
    • Branch & LO Opportunity
    • Operations
  • Our Story
    • About Geneva Financial
    • Leadership Team
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us
    • Be A Good Human
    • Human Stories
    • Client Reviews

First Responder of Missouri Duck Boat Tragedy Fights for Daughter

Billy Cole (left) watches as wreckage from the Branson, MO duck boat tragedy is lifted from the waters. Part of the Missouri Underwater Search and Recovery Team, Billy was one of the First Responders working to recover victims.

Billy Cole (left) watches as wreckage from the Branson, MO duck boat tragedy is lifted from the waters. Part of the Missouri Underwater Search and Recovery Team, Billy was one of the First Responders working to recover victims.

Geneva Gives’ Hero Of The Year Finalist, Billy Cole

You may remember the headlines. 17 lives lost, 9 from the same family. It was one of the deadliest duck boat accidents in American history.

Meet our seventh Hero Of The Year Finalist, Billy Cole. An officer with the Missouri State Highway Patrol since 2010 and a member of the Underwater Search and Rescue Team since 2015, Cole was one of the First-Responders on the scene that day helping recover victims of the tragedy.

Cole, a family man with strong service ties to his community, is quick to the assist of others and does so with grace, all while facing a very personal battle – his youngest daughter was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer at just one year old.

Ewing's sarcoma

While maintaining his commitment to serving the people of Missouri, Billy is helping his daughter stay strong and has joined the fight for other children with bone cancer through awareness and fundraising.

Read Billy’s full story below, through the voice of his nominator.

Geneva Gives Hero of the Year Finalist Billy Cole

Learn more about the Hero Of The Year Initiative

Hero’s Name: Billy Cole

Hero’s City of Residence: Kansas City

Hero’s State of Residence: Missouri

Eligible Categories:: Police Officer

Please describe what makes this individual a TRUE hero:: Billy has served on the Missouri State Highway Patrol since 2010 and has also taken on being a part of the underwater search and recovery team in 2015, and last summer began on water patrol.

He is a true hero by putting his life on the line every single day to keep his community safe and also for spending hours and hours of grueling training for underwater search and recover which is a very challenging thing to put yourself through. He has trained in lakes, rushing rivers and even frozen over water in the middle of the Missouri winter.

Last year in Branson, MO a duck boat with 31 people on board capsized and sank to the bottom of Table Rock Lake during a severe thunderstorm resulting in one of the deadliest duck boat accidents in American history killing 17, including 9 from the same family. Billy’s skill, hard work and training was put in place as he was part of the team to recover the victims of this awful tragedy.

Please describe how this individual has impacted the lives and community around them:: While Billy serves his community with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, he is also a very devoted family man to his wife and 2 little girls.

The younger of the girls, Malina, was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a very rare form of bone cancer, at just a year and a half old. Being a hero just like her daddy, she completed chemo in 2015 and has been in remission.

If you have ever seen a child fight cancer it will change your life. Billy faithfully serves his community with the highway patrol while also being present in the childhood cancer community showing up to 5ks, fundraisers, and raising awareness.

His attendance to these events as a member of the police force really brings together law enforcement with the community. His service is truly unmatched.

Nominated by: Carrie Cole

Share:

More Human Stories

Chicken Mole Nachos

Chicken Mole Nachos

Spice up your summer watchlist with Chicken Mole

Smiling young couple buyers shake and get acquainted greet with relator or broker at office meeting. Happy man and woman clients handshake close deal or make agreement with real estate agent.

Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from Homeownership

Did you know? According to a recent study, 72% of

Polaroid Now+ Instant Camera

Capture creativity and nostalgia with the Polaroid Now+

budget friendly summer travel ideas

Budget-Friendly Summer Travel Ideas

Home By Geneva>Budget-Friendly Summer Travel Ideas Stretch your

Rapid Rate Quote

NextAt Age Five, He Couldn’t SpeakNext

Find a Branch

Mortgage Calculator

Homebuyer's Guide

Get Today's Rates

Apply for a Mortgage or Refinance

Loan Programs

Mortgage Terms Defined

Login to an Existing Mortgage Loan

Careers

Contact Us
  • 180 S. Arizona Ave Ste 310 Chandler, AZ 85225
  • (888) 889 - 0009
  • humansupport@genevafi.com

Your Mortgage Options

  • Apply Now
  • Mortgage Payment
  • Find a Licensed Loan Officer
  • Check Today’s Rates
  • Mortgage Calculator
  • Homebuyer Mortgage Guide

Geneva Goodies

  • Branch Manager and Loan Officer Opportunities
  • Home by Geneva - Home Design & Lifestyle
  • Geneva Gives

Geneva Financial offers Conventional, FHA, VA, USDA, Refinance, Reverse, Jumbo and Condo Financing as well as Down Payment Assistance Programs, First-Time Homebuyer Programs, Physician Loans and Hero Loans for First Responders, Police, Firefighters, Nurses, and Teachers.

Geneva Financial LLC, Copyright © 2025
NMLS #42056 | BK #0910215 | MA #ML42056 | CA #603G564
Privacy | Legal Disclaimer | An Equal Housing Lender | All Rights Reserved
  • Site Accessibility
  • Communication Opt Out
  • Disclosures and Licenses
  • Terms of Use
  • Security and Privacy
  • Email and Text Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
  • Site Accessibility
  • Communication Opt Out
  • Disclosures and Licenses
  • Terms of Use
  • Security and Privacy
  • Email and Text Policy
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie settingsACCEPT
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Quick Rate Quote