William John Cox

On the afternoon of Monday, December 28, 2020, at approximately 1:15 p.m., Bill Cox passed peacefully to be with his Savior. He was 86 years old.

Born in Cordele, Georgia, on August 16, 1934, Bill was the son of the late Robert Oren and Maggie Cox. He sang in the church choir at an early age, and his love of music, especially country music, flourished through the years. He sang and played guitar at an assortment of festivals and a variety of other venues. Bill was an original member of the Herb Ryals Powersville Crossing Band and performed with them for many years. His talents are well known in the musical areas of country music, bluegrass music, gospel music, and folk music.

Bill first sang at Powersville Opry in 1994, performed his first show there in 1997, and continued making periodic guest appearances until recently. Old Clinton Opry was another of the venues where he made guest appearances. Bill performed with many members of the Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame, such as Simon Newton, Tommy New, Sherry Lee, Everett “Red” Clacker, Dennis Blachly, Nancy Blachly and Chuck Hayslip. He enjoyed performing at the Peach Blossom Festival, the Cherry Blossom Festival, the Harness Festival, Christmas festivities, Veterans Day concerts, nursing and retirement homes in middle Georgia, and patriotic concerts for historical societies, as well. Bill’s vocal talent and guitar work are greatly appreciated in the middle Georgia area.

Not only did Bill love singing, but he was a trained Luthier. He built his first custom guitar in 2006 and continued building until 2014. Bill built custom guitars, mountain dulcimers, hammer dulcimers, and biblically referenced bowed psalteries for over 60 custom recipients. As a trained Luthier, he repaired, rebuilt, and set up all stringed instruments privately and professionally for Music Masters music store in Warner Robins, and at his home in Kathleen.

In September and October of 2012, The Smithsonian Institute was invited to Perry for an exhibit called “Georgia Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music.” They filmed Bill while he was conducting a guitar building workshop. This was televised the same year and continued being shown for a few months.

Bill made presentations about a very unique guitar that he acquired 50 years ago with biblical symbols built into the guitar, including an outline of the face of Jesus. This was the original construction of this very unique guitar with no alterations of any kind. Bill presented this program to churches and Powersville Opry on Easter weekend 2019. His presentation was referenced with biblical passages, the history of wood in biblical times, and as Bill would say, “It is not for sale.” He gave everyone a very special and spiritual Easter experience they shall long remember.

Of particular note was Bill’s volunteer work for “Hearts to Heroes.” He repaired and rebuilt guitars that were donated by individuals and businesses. The guitars were then sent overseas to our service personnel in all service areas who are deployed. Thus far, over 235 guitars have been shipped abroad by Hearts to Heroes in order to bring the love of music wherever our service men and women are stationed. In May of 2019, the Governor of the Treutlen Chapter of the Daughters of The American Revolution presented Bill with awards and the American flag for his outstanding contributions to “Hearts for Heroes.” Bill will be remembered by all who knew him as a great, giving man who always took care of others.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 10 years, Sharon Evelyn Cox; son, William John Cox II; grandson, William John Cox III; brother, Wayman Cox; and sister, Cynthia “Cindy” Graham. In addition to his parents, Bill was preceded in death by his first wife, Edith Cox; and brothers, Robert Cox (Lili) and Tillman Cox.

Bill’s family will receive friends on Sunday, January 3, 2021, from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. at McCullough Funeral Home. Bill will be laid to rest that afternoon with a graveside funeral service at 3:00 p.m. in Magnolia Park Cemetery, with Pastor Grover Jewell officiating.

McCullough Funeral Home and Crematory has the privilege of being entrusted with these arrangements.