Rev. William E. Cox

Rev. William E. Cox, age 92, was called home to his Lord on Tuesday October 21, 2008.

Father Cox was born in Janesville, WI, on August 21, 1916, son of the late Charles E. and Catherine E. (Crowley) Cox. Father attended Saint Mary’s Grade School in Janesville. He entered Saint Francis Seminary on September 8, 1930, and was ordained to the Roman Catholic Priesthood on February 2, 1942, at Saint Anthony’s Church in Milwaukee. Father’s early assignments found him traveling to various corners of the archdiocese: Saint Thomas Aquinas in Kenosha 1942– 1947, Saint Patrick in Fond du Lac 1947 – 1958, Saint John the Evangelist in Kohler 1958 – 1963. While serving as pastor in Kohler, Father received a call from Archbishop William E. Cousins to go to Racine to establish a new parish in the town of Mt. Pleasant on the outskirts of Racine. For five years Saint Paul’s operated out of a converted store, about four blocks from the church which was completed in 1968.

Father Cox celebrated the first Mass at his beloved new church on June 30, 1968, and remained as pastor of Saint Paul the Apostle Congregation for twenty-eight years until his retirement on August 21, 1991. Father continued his priestly ministry after his “Retirement.” He served as a staff chaplain in the spiritual care department at Saint Mary’s Medical Center for ten years. He also assisted regularly at various Racine and Kenosha parishes including celebrating Mass every Sunday at Mt. Carmel Parish in Kenosha.

Father was a 60-year member of the Knights of Columbus and served as chaplain to the 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, Council 697, for ten years. He was recognized by the Wisconsin State Council Knights of Columbus for his faithful service to church, council, community, youth and family by exemplifying the Columbian principles of charity, unity, fraternity and patriotism.
Father Cox will be remembered as a true good shepherd for his life of spreading the gospel of Christ and dedication to the priesthood and to everyone who knew him.

Survivors include his brother, Rev. Joseph C. Cox of Portage, WI; his nieces and nephews, Robert (Margaret) Agnew of Ellison Bay, WI, John (MaryKay) Agnew of Sunnyvale, CA, Kathleen (Neil) Kugelmas of San Rafael, CA, Richard (Judy) Agnew of Menomonie, WI, James Agnew of Kenosha, David Agnew of Sheboygan, WI, Mary (James) Robertson of Menomonie, WI, Gerald Agnew of Waukesha, WI, Michael (Marge) McCoy of Ellison Bay, WI, Mary McCoy (Tom Wahlen) of Milwaukee, WI, Tom (Shari) McCoy of Bozeman, MT, Kate (Dan) Mooney of CA, Charles (Shawna) McCoy of IA, John (Shelly) McCoy of Stoughton, WI; special and dear friend, Mary Willmes; great nieces, nephews, other relatives many dear friends, and parish family of St. Paul. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his two sisters, Roberta Agnew and Ruth McCoy.

A Concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 6400 Spring Street, Racine, on Tuesday, October 28, 2008, at 11 a.m. Interment will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Janesville, WI. Relatives and friends may meet with the family at the church on Tuesday from 9 a..m. until time of Mass. Memorials to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church have been suggested.

MARESH-MEREDITH & ACKLAM FUNERAL HOME
803 Main St., Racine (262) 634-7888