William J. Cox , 96, Shenandoah, passed away peacefully Friday at Lehigh Valley- Schuylkill Medical Center East, Pottsville.

Born in Shenandoah he was the son of the late William and Sophia "Tillie" Norusevage Cox. He had been employed as an alloy planner by the former Alcoa and later Cressona Aluminum Plant, Cressona, for over 25 years, until his retirement.

He was a 1939 graduate of the former Shenandoah Catholic High School and then attended St. Francis College, Loretto, PA.

Bill was a US Navy veteran of WWII where he served on two destroyers and one attack transport in both the Atlantic and Pacific Theater of Operations. His ship was enroute to the mainland of Japan when the atomic bomb was released.

He was a member of the former Annunciation B.V.M. Catholic Church, now Divine Mercy Parish, where he had been very active in all church activities especially the annual block party. He was a member of Knights of Columbus, Council 618, Shenandoah.

He was preceded in death by a brother James Cox and a sister Ann Jenkins.

Bill is survived by his wife of 69 years Florence " Banevich " , his son William " Billy " Cox, Shenandoah and his daughter Patricia "Patsy" wife of Brian Bobko, Westampton, NJ and one grandson, William Cox, MN.

At the request of the family services and interment will be private.