William Earl Cox

William “Bill” Earl Cox

Feb. 21, 1953       May 11, 2024

            William E. Cox, 71, Bearville Twp area, formerly of Hibbing, MN died Saturday, May 11, 2024 at St. Luke’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. He was born February 21, 1953 to Russell and Marjorie (Mallum) Cox in Hibbing, MN.  Upon graduating from school, Bill was employed with U.S. Steel from 1972 until retiring in 2003.  He married Terry Holm on July 7, 1973 in Hibbing. Together they built a little log cabin on Little Bear Lake making it their full time residence in 2003.  Bill was instrumental in getting the Little Bear Community together, forming a tight knit group of lifelong friends.  He was an active member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Bear River; in addition, he was a retired first responder in the Bear River area having retired in 2023.  Bill began bartending in 2006 at the Viking Bar, retiring from the business two years ago.  He had worked with stained glass from 1977 to present day, along with instructing classes for community ed over the years. He was a skilled woodcarver having studied under the tutelage of Dale Timmerman. Bill was a very sociable person with a multitude of friends. He and was known for his sense of humor and as an instigator of fun to many. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying camping, canoeing, boating and riding his ATV. Bill enjoyed hunting grouse and deer and some of his favorite pastimes were watching hockey and spending time tinkering on vehicles with son Mike.

            On February 28^th 2019, Bill received the gift of life as a recipient of a kidney from an amazing selfless woman, Becca Bundy. Becca gave Bill and Terry 5 years of a beautiful life to spend together with their son Michael. Their gratitude is truly immeasurable.

            Bill is survived by his wife, Terry of Bearville Twp, son, Michael Cox, Duluth, MN, 5 siblings; Creighton (Linda) Cox, Embarrass, MN, Edward (Theresa) Cox, Hibbing, Russell (Betty Jo) Cox, Hibbing, Dennis (Jacqueline) Cox, St. Louis Park, MN, and Rochelle (Thomas) Tahija, Chisholm, MN as well as Terry’s siblings; Deborah (Kevin) Maki, Julie (Mark) Jones, Jacqueline Reeder all of Hibbing, and Ronald (Lisa) Holm, Jacksonville, TX. Bill is also survived by many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his parents, Russell and Marjorie (Mallum) Cox.

            There will be a Celebration of Bill’s life from 2:30 to 5:30 PM Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the Viking Bar in Bear River, MN.  Interment will be at a later date in Maple Hill Cemetery of Hibbing.  Arrangements are with the Dougherty Funeral Home of Hibbing. 

To leave online message of condolence, please visit us at; www.doughertyofhibbing.com.