Willard "Bill" Dean Cox, 86, passed away May 1, 2026 in Rison, AR. Bill was born August 30, 1939 in High Point, North Carolina to Elmer and Mary Cox.

Growing up in Snow Camp, NC, at age 17, Bill joined the United States Air Force, where he proudly served our country on his assignments throughout the USA and overseas. During his military career, Bill served two tours of Vietnam and earned one of our nation's most respected aviation related military honors, The Distinguished Flying Cross.

In 1958, in Fort Worth, Tx, Bill went on a blind date with Sylvia Ann Martin and six weeks later, on December 20, 1958, they were married; a marriage that lasted 63 years until Ann's passing in 2021.

Bill enjoyed bowling and regularly joined local leagues wherever his Air Force assignments took him. Following Bill's retirement from the Air Force as a Technical Sergeant, he and Ann and their children returned to her hometown of Camden, AR where he worked at Davis Manufacturing until his full retirement.

Bill not only enjoyed woodworking in his shop but watching the numerous videos on various woodturning techniques on YouTube. Bill also loved creating and working his amazing garden. Family and friends got to reap the benefits of all of Bill's beautiful woodworking creations, as well as a plethora of vegetables from his garden.

Through thick and thin, Bill was an avid fan of the Dallas Cowboys, as well as the Arkansas Razorbacks.  As much as he loved both teams, nothing brought him greater joy than watching his children play sports growing up, followed by his grandchildren and the great grands!

Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife, Sylvia Ann; his parents Elmer and Mary Cox, his siblings: Delores, Annette, Carolyn, Yvonne, and William "Pete". His son in law, Kevin Parker, and an infant son Randy Cox.

Bill is survived by his children: Lisa Cox Parker of Camden, AR, Mike Cox (Cissy) of Monticello, AR, and Greg Cox (Tiffany) of Camden, AR.  His grandchildren: Tyler Cox (Heather) of Monticello, AR; Rob Cox (Hayley Jo) of Conway, AR; Tanner Cox (Anna) of Little Rock, AR; Colton Parker (Madison) of Sims, AR; Lauren Cox McKee (Kevin) of Morgantown, WV; Brandon McAdoo (Bre) of Hot Springs, AR.  His great grandchildren: Averie, Mollie, Will, Lucy, Rowyn, Romyn, Maggie May, Josie, Bryleigh, Barrett, and Bronx. Bill is also survived by his two sisters; Doris Cox Knittel of Snow Camp, NC and Judy Cox Ritter of Siler City, NC, as well as two sisters-in-law; Joyce Raney and Nicki Taylor, both of Camden, AR.

A memorial service will be held at Proctor Funeral Home Chapel on Saturday May 16, 2026 at 11:00 AM with visitation one hour prior to start of the service.  In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project or Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.