William J.

William "Bill" Cox, CWO2, US Army Retired, age 80, passed away on November 19, 2012. He was born in Morrellton, MO, the son of the late William and Gertie Cox of St. Clair, MO. Bill served in the US Navy and US Army until his retirement in 1972. While in the Navy, Bill served in Korea, then served in the US Army as a Chief Warrant Officer which included two tours in Vietnam. He was the recipient of the Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. Bill was a life member of VFW Post 401, Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 318, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 33, American Legion Post 49, Reserve Officers Association, Albuquerque Chapter, Officers Club Kirtland AFB, Retired Officers Association, and Elks Lodge #461. After his retirement from the military, he tried farming in his home state of Missouri, couldn't stand the humidity, and moved the family to New Mexico. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Mary Trinnie; children, Billy of Lafayette, CO; Cynthia Wise and husband, Doug of Bangkok, Thailand, David of Tijeras, NM, and adopted daughter, Diana Wong of Albuquerque. He is also survived by his brother, Vernon Cox and wife, Peggy of Sullivan, MO; sister, Peggy Bartnett and husband, Jerry of Springfield, VA; sister-in-law, Mercedes Chavez of Los Lunas, NM; brothers-in-law, Luis Chavez and wife, Mary of Albuquerque, Chris Chavez and wife, Kathy of Albuquerque, NM, and Robert Chavez and wife, Viola of Espanola, NM; niece, Lori Gonzales and husband, Rafael of Los Lunas, NM; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and even great-great-nephews and nieces that will remember him telling them to go play on the "Big I". Services will be held Wednesday, November 28, 2012, 2:00 p.m., at VFW Post 401, 2011 Girard Blvd. SE. Interment will take place Thursday, November 29, 2012, 1:30 p.m., at Santa Fe National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the NM Veterans Memorial, P.O. Box 8389, Albuquerque, NM 87198-8389.