Cox Sr., William Jefferson (Bill)

Surrounded by his family, William Jefferson (Bill) Cox Sr., 88, of Pulaski, went to be with our Lord on Wednesday, July 4, 2012. He was born in Wythe County on February 26, 1924, to the late Robert E. and Mamie Chrisley Cox. Bill was a combat war veteran. He served from 1943 to 1945 in the United States Army and was a veteran of World War II. He fought in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France and Rhineland. He was awarded the Purple Heart, the Good Conduct Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Three Bronze Stars and the World War II Victory Medal. Bill was a faithful employee of Hercules in Pulaski and retired in 1982. He was a devout member of Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church and looked forward to spending Sundays with his church family. Bill was also preceded in death by his precious daughter, Sherry L. Golden; his sisters, “Little Sister” (infant), Fannie Sprinkle (Pulaski), and Faye Mathena (Pulaski); a brother, Osborne Cox (Wythe County); and his beloved son-in-law, Luther A. Woods Jr. Bill leaves to cherish his memory, his loving and devoted wife and best friend of 66 years, “Marthie” Martha Moore Cox; and special friend, Black Jack “BJ,” the dog. Left to treasure his memory are his daughter, Sylvia Cox Woods; son and daughter- in-law, William “Billy” Jefferson Cox Jr. and Linda; son-in-law, Carl F. Golden, all of Pulaski; and son, William Robert “Bobby” Cox, of Wytheville. He is survived by his sister, Earsel Cox Smith (Wythe County); brothers and spouse, Robert E. and Betty Cox (Wythe County), R. Jack Cox (Wytheville), and Larry E. Cox (Chilhowie); and sisters-in-law and spouse, Eula Moore Jones (Dublin), and Faye Moore Patterson and Pat (Dublin). Granddaddy Bill leaves beloved memories to cherish for his grandchildren and spouses, Pam Hoback (Pulaski), Rhonda (Woods) and Mark Richardson (Pulaski), Brian and Penny Golden (Dublin), Brad and Tracy Golden (Dublin), Candy Meredith Cook (Pulaski), Lee Ann and Eric Martin (Dublin), Brent and Wendy Golden (Dublin), Brandy Meredith (Pulaski), Joey Hoback (Roanoke), L.A. and Jessie Woods (Pulaski), Amanda Woods (Mechanicsville), and Cindy Quesenberry (Pulaski); 19 great-grandchildren; two great- great- grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and an abundant church family. Bill loved his family, enjoyed spending time with them and enjoyed watching his grandchildren play and grow. Bill loved nature and enjoyed driving into the mountains watching for wildlife. The Cox family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Osemobor of Lewis Gale Hospital, Pulaski and the Reverend Mike Ingo. Funeral Services will be held at 5 p.m. on Sunday, July 8, 2012, from the Draper Valley Pentecostal Holiness Church with the Rev. Mike Ingo officiating. Visiting will be held on Sunday at the church where the family will receive friends from 3 p.m. until the service hour. A Graveside Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, July 9, 2012, at the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Dublin, Va., with Pulaski VFW Post #1184 conducting the Military Graveside Rites. Arrangements by Stevens Funeral Home, Inc., Pulaski, Va., 540-980-2600.