January 17, 2025; With sorrow and gratitude, we announce the passing of the Rt. Rev. William J. Cox, a beloved bishop, WWII and Korean War veteran, and faithful servant of God, who entered into eternal rest just one week shy of his 104th birthday, January 24, 1921.
He was born in Valaria, Eastern Kentucky. His family moved to Middletown, in Southern Ohio, where he lived from age 5 to 21.
He married Betty Drake December 20, 1941. Betty died November 1, 2009. They had 68 years of marriage. They had three children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
He served 23 years in the US Army during WWII and Korea, and afterward in active and reserve status, retiring as Lieutenant Colonel.
After WWII, he and some army friends built a radio broadcasting station, KBRL in McCook, Nebraska. He turned over management of the station upon recall to the Pentagon for active duty in 1948. The station is still on the air today.
In 1950, he accepted a Supply and Logistics position with the Army at the American Embassy in London, where he spent three years. During that time, he had opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe.
He entered Virginia Theological Seminary, September 1954, to study for the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. Bishop Cox dedicated his life to ministry, spending over 50 years serving as a priest and bishop in Maryland, Oklahoma and Texas.
Upon ordination in 1957, he was assigned to Holy Cross and St. Phillips' Mission churches in Cumberland, Maryland, where he served for 17 years, bringing both missions to full parish status and building a new church together.
He also was Chaplain-on-call at Memorial Hospital, Cumberland, often at night and in emergency situations.
While in Cumberland, he also led civic initiatives, including the establishment of Allegany County's first extended care facility.
In 1972, he was elected Suffragan Bishop for the Diocese of Maryland. He served for eight years, during which time he served as President of the Appalachian People's Service Organization, contributed to the Episcopal Church's Standing Commission on Evangelism and championed initiatives for elder care. He led the project to build Fair Haven, one of the early continuing-care assisted living facilities in the country. In 1979, he brought the Cursillo Community to Maryland, which is preparing for its 118th weekend.
In 1980, the Bishop of Oklahoma asked him to be Assistant Bishop, to reside in Tulsa, where he served for eight years. Bishop Cox faithfully ministered to 46 mission congregations, focusing on renewal, evangelism, and healing. In 1985, he was appointed Chaplain to Episcopal World Mission, supporting missionaries worldwide.
Soon after his arrival in Oklahoma, he earned his noncommercial pilot's license in order to be able to visit churches all over the state as his official duties required. He continued to fly for 20 years.
Bishop Cox and his wife frequently travelled in a world-wide ministry of teaching and healing for many years. After retirement, he also continued to provide parish visitations, baptism, confirmation and ordination whenever requested by several dioceses. He accepted an appointment as Assistant Bishop for Texas in Austin, for three years.
He also served on parish clergy staffs, including Trinity Church and St. John's Church, Tulsa, and St. Mathew's, Austin, TX.
In 2008, The Episcopal Church in the USA was the subject of theological strife. Within the fray, Bishop Cox, retired, at age 86, was removed from official status. The Anglican Archbishop of South America offered him ecclesiastical residence as part of the World-Wide Anglican Communion. Later, within the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word, he was a cherished bishop and valued member of the Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
He also was a founding Board Member for Stand in the Gap Ministries for15 years, 1999-2014.

He resided at St. Simeon's Community, Tulsa, with his youngest son, upon who's death in February 2020, Bishop Cox moved to Broken Arrow with his daughter and son-in-law. His other son resides with his family in Louisville, Kentucky.
Bishop Cox died quietly at home on the morning of January 17, 2025. He leaves behind a legacy of faith, humility, and service that will inspire generations. He will be deeply missed but joyfully remembered as a man who walked humbly with God and faithfully answered His call.
His funeral will be at Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit, 12121 E. 41st Street, Tulsa on Saturday, January 25, 2025. A reception will be held at 10:00 am with funeral service and graveside commitment to follow, beginning at 11:00 am.
Please note that in lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions may be made to: The Bishop's House Fund; (check payable to Anglican Church of the Holy Spirit, Tulsa) or the Anglicans for Relief & Development Fund at http://ardf.org/ < https://8gx6jobbb.cc.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001M0DqCultd_4MtHJf-vRC0CZV8TYx6IHRh20xuV0cANj5He5efQtf7Lcuv10hQ4lFk8LGBxMFNz3lS0yRA_AQx0aieD_z_46Y88shnRKLwvTrfx6j8909r0lEINa1DnOT1g4VYhXfvcQ=&c=fEVc-0cSH5Ux_Kjg7jKUk0Ks1aK7ypZzO859ocPbf1iXrFwBhmld4w==&ch=ADdeualXJlJWbVdwIlOLZqd5v9Nx4-6FGzUOR_DBQPaz5vaoFrLpUg== >
Thank you



About the Anglican Diocese of the Living Word
The Anglican Diocese of the Living Word (ADLW) is a member diocese of the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA), serving 43 parishes across 18 states and supporting mission efforts globally. Under the leadership of Bishop Julian Dobbs, ADLW seeks to proclaim the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ with joy and faithfulness.