Obituary of William Louis Cox

Commander William Louis Cox “Bill”, 79, passed away peacefully surrounded by friends and family at his Lake Havasu City, AZ home on July 25th, 2023. Bill was a decorated veteran who served four tours in the Vietnam war and spent 35 years on active duty in the U.S. Navy. Bill was born on May 6th, 1944, to Colonel William A. and Olamae (Carter) Cox in Utica, NY. He spent his childhood at various Air Force duty stations where he met the love of his life and his future wife, Donna J. Kitzman when he was only 4 years old, and she was 3. Bill and Donna’s parents were stationed together multiple times and they were able to maintain their friendship into adulthood. Bill graduated from Torrejon High School, in Madrid, Spain and enrolled at Ohio State University before joining the US Navy in 1965. After Bill finished A school, he was finally able to marry his princess in January 1966. Bill would go on to serve as a Naval Air Crewman for four combat tours in the Vietnam War. After the war Bill continued serving as Air Crew in the Navy while stationed in Whidbey Island Washington, Moffett Field, California and Barbers Point, Hawaii. Bill ultimately earned an officer’s commission and was stationed on board the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63) in San Diego, California before moving to Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine. When his tour in Maine was complete, Bill was transferred back to San Diego before being stationed in Souda Bay, Crete where he served as Executive Officer for four years. Bill eventually returned to San Diego where he retired with the rank of Commander after 35 years of service. After retiring, William and Donna moved to Lake Havasu City, Arizona where they built a home to be near their children and Donna’s parents. After moving to Lake Havasu City Bill started a second career that would last for 21 years working as a Tribal Planner with the Chemehuevi Indian Tribe. During this time Bill was also conferred a Master of Education from Northern Arizona University and a Masters of Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle. He put these degrees to use soon thereafter and taught English as a long-term substitute at Thunderbolt junior high school and Algebra and Astronomy at Mohave Community College. Bill absolutely loved the Lord and loved playing music in his church’s band for many years. He also enjoyed the outdoors, relishing camping, and canoeing trips with his boys as their Boy Scout leader. After retirement he and Donna took trips all over the State in their RV. Bill was preceded in death by his parents William and Olamae and his son Brian. He is survived by his princess and wife of 57 years, Donna of Lake Havasu City, his sons: Eric, Ian, and Todd, and 5 grandchildren, as well as his brother Michael, of Colleyville TX. Bill had a full and blessed life and will be missed by all who knew him. There will be a Celebration of Life held at Redemption Hill Calvary Chapel located at 2925 Kiowa Blvd N. Lake Havasu City, AZ 86403. The service will be held on August 26, 2023 at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers the family requests a donation to one of Bill’s favorite charities: Compassion International or Joni and Friends.