William (Bill) Cox left this world in January, 2023, just as he lived it; touching the hearts of everyone he knew and leaving an impression on the world around him. The last time he spoke with one of his granddaughters he mentioned "At 71 I've done a lot of things, some of them foolish, most of them fun, but all of them worth it." Most of the World didn't know what was coming when William Cox (Sr.) and Gail Cox (Muller) brought him into the world on December 16, 1951 in Rapid City, SD. Little did they know, that infant scream would lead to a lilting voice and stories that inspire.

Growing up, he would protect his sister by saying he did whatever it was she would be in trouble for and would get the spankings instead. Back in the day when life was a bit slower, you could typically find Larry, Dave and Bill all causing a ruckus which would  often include bottle rocket wars.

On December 30th, 1970 he married Lavonne Kay Hunter and they had 3 children together before their divorce in September of 1983. He gave it one more shot on the "marriage thing" as he would call it and was married to Jacqueline Terry on August 19th, 1986. Their children were "fur babies", Quila and Zax whom they cared for even after their divorce in 1990. In 1989 he moved back to Rapid City, SD, and rekindled an old friendship with Noni Sargent and they became each other's confidante, always there to help each other out when needed.

Anyone who spent at least 5 minutes with Bill knows how much he loved making music. Spending time in the backyard making up words to songs he swore he knew, or in a shed with the boys practicing for a gig, to even just playing a tune while sitting on the couch. Music is the one thing he wouldn't give up, not even for a million bucks. Bill was also a consummate napper in his later years. There wasn't a friend or family member's house he wouldn't find a comfortable enough seat to sit back in and fall asleep. On any occasion, whether formal or dour, you could catch him with his cap pulled down and mouth wide open in a "soft" snore.

Preceded in death to meet wherever they deem appropriate are his mother and father, William and Gail Cox; Larry Cox (brother); Zachary Ashlin (grandson); and Dory Jr (great nephew).

Those that are left to squabble over his immeasurable fortune, real estate holdings and "treasures" are his three children, Billy Jo Ashlin (Greg Ashlin), Sam McDonald (Christopher McDonald), and James Cox (Erica Cox). He delighted in his role as Grandpa to Savanha, Jordan, Mickey, Chris (CJ), Bennet, and Howard and hopes he taught at least one of them that mistakes in life are necessary and acceptable as long as you "kind of '' learn from them. He left us with decades of fond and colorful memories that included his nieces and nephews.

If you would like to donate to help accommodate this long obituary and his memorial services we will accept your donations however, if you decide to take that money and go have a drink or sit down with a friend to tell the vast stories of Bill Cox, please feel free.

A celebration of life will be held on Tuesday, January 31, 2023, at The Legion Post 22, (818 E Saint Patrick St, Rapid City, SD 57701) from 4 - 10PM. Feel free to be late if you also are a consummate napper like Bill and always late for the party.