William `Bill` Cox
William `Bill` Cox , Age 79
William M. "Bill" Cox, age 79, passed away unexpectedly at home on Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023. William, son of Kenneth and Besse (Rehm) Cox was born Aug. 22, 1943. He was a graduate of Oregon High Schooland Madison Business College. On Sept. 13, 1962 he enlisted in the US Navy and proudly served his country until Aug. 30, 1964. On June 5, 1965 he was united in marriage to Carol Manion.
Bill grew up in the Oregon WI area and after spending 2 years serving his country in the US Navy; he married his high school sweetheart Carol. In 1968 they moved to the Baraboo area to build their life together and start a family. He started working for Wisconsin Dairies, but was soon after hired by Tri-State Breeders to run their financial operations. Bill worked for Tri-State/Accelerated Genetics for over 40 years as the Chief Financial Officer while leading the company through a number of changes; including changing the company name to Accelerated Genetics, and attaining his personal goal of making the company completely debt free before retiring.
Bill was a dedicated husband and family man that would always lend a helping hand to any family or friends that needed anything. He was a fun-loving practical joker that could periodically be found having a beverage with his great friend Larry Zimmerman, or playing a round of golf with his buddies or Carol.
He and Carol loved to travel, especially with their best friends Larry and Jean Zimmerman. When his health made it too difficult to travel or eventually play golf, you could often find him watching golf on TV, playing games with his family, or putting puzzles together with the love of his life Carol. If he wasn't playing games or watching golf, he would be looking through his phone for pictures of his family, especially his grandchildren and great granddaughters, which would always make him smile.
Bill was an absolutely incredible man that took so much pride in being a good friend, a wonderful loving husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. He will be missed by so many, but none more than by his loving wife Carol, and those lucky enough to call him Dad, or Grandpa.
He was employed by Tri-State Breeders/Accelerate Genetics for over 40 years. In his free time, he enjoyed golfing, bowling, bird watching, doing puzzles, sudoku, playing cards, hunting and camping with his family. His children will always remember him for being their biggest fan in the stands at all of their sporting events.
Survivors include his loving wife of 57years, Carol; children, Michael (Erika) Cox of Baraboo, David (Jenn) Cox of Baraboo, Amy (Heath) Luetkens of Somerset; sixgrandchildren, Ryan (Caralynn) Cox, Jordan Cox, Tyler (Holly) Marion, Hunter (Emma) Luetkens, Kylie Hohl and Holden (Audrey) Luetkens; great-granddaughters, Elizabeth and Audrey Cox, and Isabelle Marion. He is further survived by his siblings Jean (Warren) Hardin, Elizabeth (Timothy) Hoversten, Joe (Gina) Cox,special family friends, Jean Zimmerman and Lori Carpenter as well as nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, James and Kenneth Cox.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 1 p.m. at Redlin-Ertz Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 12 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home. Military honors will be conducted following the service. Donations to the Wounded Warrior Project charity in lieu of flowers.
Condolences
Bill McFarland February 26, 2023
Friend Sauk City , Wisconsin
I am sad to see you go my dear friend.!
Mary Cormican February 27, 2023
Friend Richard Center , Wisconsin
My deepest sympathy to the entire family especially Carol. He was a special man and will be missed greatly
Renee Harris February 27, 2023
Goddaughter Verona , Wisconsin
Aunt Carol and family. Uncle Bill always told me with his hugs that he loved me. And that he was my “Godfather†with that mafia tone. I will miss him so much. He will always be in my heart forever. My prayers are coming your way. I can’t be there on Friday and I told mom to hug everyone for me. I love all of you. Love Renee. â¤ï¸ðŸ’•
Karen Larvin February 28, 2023
Friend San Cl;emente , California
Dearest Carol, My heart is heavy for your tremendous loss. The loss of your spouser is not a club one ever wants to join. I know you have so many beautiful memories which will be treasured. They will also be blessings as time goes on and you can smile at those memories. May God give you strength and the peace of knowing you will see Bill again. I'm sending you love and prayers across the miles.
Dana Midby February 28, 2023
Friend of Amy Cox Hudson , Wisconsin
I’m am so sorry for your loss Amy and family. You are in our prayers
Pamela Hillmer Marquie February 28, 2023
Acquaintance Apez , North Carolina
This morning I read about the passing Bill, someone instrumental in the early career of my husband. We made the move from Madison to Baraboo when my husband started grad school. Tom needed some job experience but jobs were hard to come by. There was nothing to be found. He began volunteering by revamping the bookkeeping system at my hometown church and approached it with logic and foresight. Someone on the board noticed and that person was Bill Cox. Bill was head of finances at a local dairy breeder and was impressed by Tom’s projections. Tom said he’d be willing to work for nothing just to get the experience. Bill hired Tom on at Tri State Breeders in a paid position and took him under his wing. Although Tom knew nothing about bull semen he soon learned all about dairy cattle and the attributes farmers wanted in their stock. Bill was impressed with how in depth Tom’s study of the process was and the two worked on grading which factors were the most desirable. Bill moved Tom to a pricing job and Tom began to work on a formula for pricing and metrics of traits to develop a standard of pricing. Bill also took a genuine interest in Tom’s classes and what he was studying. He advised him on interviews and even offered him a lucrative position near graduation. Even when Tom accepted another job Bill told him he had made the best choice and offered his hearty congratulations. All of us start somewhere in our careers and if we’re lucky enough we get a mentor who is generous, kind, caring, knowledgeable and sincerely interested in our success. That person for us was Bill Cox and for Tom and myself we will forever be grateful.
Don Trimmer February 28, 2023
Co-worker Baraboo , Wisconsin
I am so sorry to hear about Bill. For many years, our offices were across the hallway from each other at Accelerated Genetics. We would always have lively conversations about the value of beef bulls versus dairy bulls. I always appreciated his thought process and how he challenged me throughout my career.
Linda Borleske February 28, 2023
My sister Diane Hanger Hemming was one of his employees reedsburg , Wisconsin
So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers for you and your family. Bill was my sister Diane (Hanger) Hemming's boss at Tri State Breeders and she thought the world of him. She always said he was the best boss she ever had!