William H. (Bill) Cox, Jr.

William H Cox Jr (Bill), 83 passed away on August 17, 2010 in Redlands California. William was born in 1926 in Elk County Kansas. At 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served in WWII. After an honorable discharge from the Navy he continued his career for the US Government working for the Ballistic Missile program at the former Norton Air Force Base. William retired in 1974. William married Norma (Thumser) Cox (deceased 1973) of Wichita, KS, in 1946 and in 1963 settled his family in the city of Redlands where together they raised five children. William was active in the local Elks 583, the American Legion Post 106, and was a lifetime member of the Wichita Masonic Lodge. William enjoyed most of his retired life fishing, traveling and being with his grandkids. In 2010 William married his long time childhood friend Dorothy Krone. William is survived by his spouse Dorothy, daughter Rita Elenburg (Don), Son William III (Roxanne), Daughter Melissa Stratton (Jerry Sr, Deceased), Daughter Amy Brown (Jay), daughter Alicia Bongiorno (Joe), 12 grandchildren, and 10 great grand children. Graveside services will be held at Riverside National Cemetery on Friday August 27, 2010 at 10:15 AM. In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Elks Lodge 583 or the American Legion Post 106. Emmerson Bartlett in Redlands is handling arrangements.