Loyd J. Cox

Mr. Loyd Junior Cox, 90, of Williamson, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2014. He had been in declining health for many months. He was born in Carterville, Illinois, March 16, 1924 to the late Loyd and Velma Cox. He was also preceded in death by his sister, LaVeeta Thompson. After graduating high school he entered the US Army in 1943 and trained as a tank commander with the Fourth Armored Division. This Division, part of General Patton's Third Army, spear-headed the attack on Bastogne, Belgium during the Christmas holidays of 1944. This attack resulted in some of the worst fighting during the Battle of the Bulge. Marching through deep snow and extreme cold temperatures, units of the Fourth Armored Division covered 150 miles in nineteen hours to beat back the German drive toward Antwerp and relieve the besieged 101st Airborne Division, trapped in Bastogne. For their actions the Fourth Armored Division received a Presidential Citation for extraordinary accomplishment against enemy forces. A few weeks later Sergeant Cox was severely wounded by a German mortar shell while leading his squad against a German counter attack near Bastogne. He was awarded the Purple Heart. He returned to the states and was sent to Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battlecreek, Michigan where he was cared for by Second Lieutenant Beulah Casey from Ramsey, Illinois. They fell in love and a year later were married and started a family. Loyd began aviation training after World War II, earning his aircraft mechanic licenses and flight instructor rating. In 1953 he was hired by Chicago and Southern Airlines which shortly thereafter merged with Delta Airlines. He was based in Chicago most of his career, which included several years as an instructor pilot. In 1975 Loyd transferred to the Atlanta crew base and his family moved to Williamson in December of that year. He retired in 1980 to enjoy a variety of hobbies and activities with his family. He is survived by his loving wife of 68 years, Beulah; his daughter Gail Godley and her husband Vincent of Williamson; two sons, Randy Cox and his wife Mary of Senoia, and Keith Cox and his wife Denise of Griffin; brother Tom Cox and his wife Betty of Belleville, Illinois; sister Donna Crain of Herrin, Illinois; five grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Visitation for Mr. Cox will be Friday evening, May 23 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Conner-Westbury Funeral Home. A graveside service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, May 24 in the Westwood Memorial Gardens on Everee Inn Road, Griffin. Dr. Ed Hoard will officiate.

Loyd J. Cox

March 16, 1924 - May 20, 2014