William Preston Cox, 96, of Bridgeport, AL, died Wednesday, October 22, 2008 in a local nursing home.
The son of the late John L. and Nona Lowe Cox, he received his education from David Lipscomb College and then began working for Penn Dixie Cement Company in South Pittsburg, where he worked as a chemist until his retirement after 43 years of service. He was also a Church of Christ minister for over 72 years. He and his parents donated land to begin the Richard City Church of Christ, where he began preaching the word of God. During his many years of ministry, he preached at Doran's Cove, Rocky Springs, Edgefield, Orme, Sweeden's Cove, Ebenezer, Haletown, TN, Pikeville and Gonce, Alabama. He had also preached or taught classes at all of the area Churches of Christ. During these years, he also was instrumental in fostering the ministry beginnings of Cecil Simmons, James Warren and Elwynne Atnip.
He was also preceded in death by his sister, Mildred Andrews and son, Roger Preston Cox.
He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Georgia Dawson Cox of Bridgeport; daughter and son-in-law, Rose Ann and Mark Rich of Bridgeport, AL; grandson, Mark Wayne Rich of Elora, TN; special nephew, Raymond Alexander Dawson, Jr.; special niece & nephew, Sue and Charlie Brittnell of Birmingham, AL; several other nieces and nephews.
Funeral services will be conducted from the South Pittsburg Chapel of Rogers Funeral Home on Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 2 PM CDT with Virgil Thomas, Jim Warren and Gardner Scott officiating. Interment will be in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Bridgeport, AL.
The family will receive friends for visitation on Friday, October 24, 2008 from 5-9 PM CDT at Rogers Funeral Home in South Pittsburg.