William Cox

William Walter Cox Jr., beloved husband, father, grandfather, and great- grandfather went to be with the Lord on Monday, May 2, 2011, at the age of 76. Bill "Noonie" Cox was a proud member of the Haywood County community and great supporter of Haywood County schools and Tomcat football. As a graduate of Haywood High School, he was a "triple threat" in sports-gaining accolades in football, basketball, and baseball. He was also named "Mr. HHS" his senior year in 1953. Bill graduated from University of Tennessee at Martin and George Peabody at Vanderbilt. He recieved his Masters from Memphis State University. Mr. Cox taught in Haywood County, coached basketball, track, football and baseball. He was principal at Haywood Elementary School, Superintendent of the Brownsville City Schools for 4 years, the Assistant Superintendent for the county school for 4 years, and went on to be Superintendent of the consolidated Haywood County Schools for 22 years for a total of 36 years of service to the children of Haywood County. He attended Brownsville Baptist Church all his life and became a member in 1945. Bill served in the church in many capacities including Chairman of the Deacons, Church Clerk, and various committees. He served his community through the local Mental Health Board, Public Health Board, State Advisory Committee to the Commissioner of Education, and Chairman of Haywood Park Hospital Board. His funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, May 4, 2011 in the Brownsville Baptist Church with burial to follow in Oakwood Cemetery. Mr. Cox was preceded in death by his parents: William Walter Cox, Sr. and Mary Louise Binford Cox. He is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of nearly 56 years, Melba Elizabeth Acuff Cox; two sons: William Walter Cox , III (Teresia) and Melvin Acuff Cox (Roniann) all of Brownsville, TN; two sisters: Bettie Binford Richards, Bartlett, TN and Mary Lou Cain, Jackson, TN; six grandchildren: William Walter Cox IV (Rebekah), Katherine Cox Lawrence (Sam), Miller Downing Cox, Rebekah Ann Cox, Abigail Austin Cox, Jennie Downing Cox and one great-grandchild: Samuel Brooks Lawrence. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to: The Gideons International, P.O. Box 544,Brownsville, TN 38012.