William Norwood (Bill) Cox, 87, died peacefully surrounded by family at his home in Carolina Shores, NC on June 20, 2024. He was born on September 16, 1936 in Wilmington, NC. Son of Willie Norwood Cox and Mildred Carr Cox, he grew up in Richmond, VA, along with brothers Oscar Eugene Cox and John A. Cox. He graduated from John Marshall High School and Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia before enrolling in the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg where he earned Masters and Doctor of Education Degrees.

He married his high school sweetheart, Molly Ramsey Cox, in Oakton, Virginia in 1958 and together they were blessed with three daughters: Kathryn Lynn Cox Severson, Karen Belle Cox Houston and Diane Gayle Cox Himes. For 33 years, he was employed in Virginia as an educator at Staunton Military Academy, Newport News Schools, and Prince William County Schools in varying positions including: teacher, coach, athletic director, high school principal, assistant superintendent and associate superintendent of schools.

For many years he was a deacon and an elder at his church, Ocean Drive Presbyterian in North Myrtle Beach, SC. He has also been a member and past commander of the Shallotte River Sail and Power Squadron, affiliated with the United States Power Squadrons.

He is survived by Molly, his wife of 65 years and by his three daughters: Kathy, Karen, and Diane (and husband Scott); also by ten grandchildren: Briana Severson, Alex Severson (wife Tania), Chandler Severson (wife Sophie), Dylan Houston (wife Crystal), Cody Houston, Rachael Earnest (husband Stephen), Nicholas Himes, Lauren Himes, Cameron Himes and Lila Himes. He is also survived by great-grandchildren: Dylan Houston, Jr., Claire Houston, Nathaniel Earnest, Nolan Earnest, and Norwood (Woody) Severson, his brother John Cox (wife Dottie) and sister-in-law Mary Cox and sister-in-law Dot Ramsey as well as wonderful nieces and nephews.

Bill was always a hard working man who faced challenges head on. He enjoyed the simple things in life and knew what was always the most important things: GOD/Faith, family and friends. He never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those around him. He loved with all his heart and spoke his mind on issues that he held dear. His words of encouragement, wisdom, common sense and humor will live on in all of who had the fortune to call him husband, dad, brother, grandad, uncle, and friend. He will be missed greatly but we know he is set free and in the arms of our Heavenly Father.

A memorial service will be held at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, 410 Sixth Avenue South, P.O. Box 277, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597 on Thursday, June 27th, 2024 at 2:00 pm. Memorial donations may be made to Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 277, NMB, SC 29582 , Randolph-Macon College, 202 Henry Street, Ashland, VA 23005, or Wounded Warrior Project.