William Sherman Cox of Williamsburg, VA entered into eternal rest on Friday, March 17, 2023, at the Hospice House and Support Care of Williamsburg. He was born the first of four children on September 19, 1947, to William and Virginia Jones Cox. He was raised with the loving support of his maternal and paternal families.
William confessed his faith in the Lord at a young age and joined Chickahominy Baptist Church in Toano under the leadership of Rev. J.H. Moody. He was baptized at Cranston’s Mill Pond, a short walk from the church. Most recently, he joined hands in fellowship with St. John Baptist Church in Williamsburg and also attended other local churches.
William grew up in Toano, VA, and started school at the local Chickahominy School before attending and graduating from Bruton Heights in Williamsburg, VA. In high school, William was a member of the Bruton Heights band as a drummer under the direction of Mr. Allen Clark. He was an honor student and graduated in the class of 1965. In recent years, William attended Bruton Heights Alumni activities and events. After high school, he continued his education at Virginia State College (now University) in Petersburg, VA, and started a family tradition of his sisters and brother also attending college there. He graduated in 1970 with a BS in Elementary Education. As a youngster, William enjoyed childhood activities with his friends in the community, fishing, playing baseball, softball, backyard basketball, and summer camps. As a teen, he joined and played on the local fastpitch softball team, the Toano Giants, for many years until he was drafted into the United States Army.
William obtained his first job as a teenager at The Williamsburg Pottery. He saved and purchased his first car, a 1957 Chevy, which was his prized possession. During his employment at The Pottery, he made many buying trips as Manager of the Mexican Market. During his tenure with The Williamsburg Pottery, he was promoted to the position of General Manager until his retirement in February 2011. He built and maintained lifelong friendships with owners, and co-workers and is remembered for being fair and easygoing to employees and customers.
Soon after college, on November 27, 1970, he married Sandra Jackson of Tappahannock, VA, who he met while in college. William was a devoted family man as he and his wife grew their family of four daughters. With a signed teacher’s contract in hand and books in his briefcase, his career took a turn when Uncle Sam called, and he was drafted into the US Army. After a 2-year army stint, he was honorably discharged and returned to Williamsburg and worked for a short time as a preschool teacher at Head Start in Williamsburg before resuming full-time employment at The Williamsburg Pottery.
Growing up in the Cox household was always lively, with family and friends enjoying Sunday dinners, card games, and the Cox pig roast. Later in life, he enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, supporting their school activities and family trips together.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Thomas and Luetta Jackson; brother-in-law, Ronald Jackson; and aunts.
He is lovingly remembered by his wife of fifty-two years, Sandra; daughters, Tamara Kindred (Demondo), Tara (Alvin), Talana (Stephen), and Tanaia; grandchildren, Caleisha White, William, Stephen Haggar, and Shaun Haggar; siblings, Regina C. Anderson, Derwin Cox (Pamela), and Arhonda Cox; uncle, Sherman Jones; sister-in-law, Gayle Jackson; lifelong friends, Leon Christian, Leon Crump, Willie Jones, Gwen Byrd; many Williamsburg Pottery co-workers, classmates, loving nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral celebrating his life will be held at noon on Monday, March 27, 2023, at Chickahominy Baptist Church, with Apostle Corwin Hammond officiating. Livestream will be available at the beginning of the service.
Interment to follow in Williamsburg Memorial Park. Mr. Cox may be viewed in the church on Monday beginning at 10 a.m.
