William Benson Cox of Tyler, Texas, went peacefully to his heavenly home to join his wife, Toni; son, Don; parents, and siblings on Saturday, August 1st, 2026, at the age of 86. William, Arthur, known to family and friends, was born in Roby, Texas, on January 30, 1940 and moved throughout the Texas, Louisiana, and Arkansas area as a child. William was the oldest of 8 children.
William sold life insurance for over 40 years at United Insurance throughout the East Texas area.
He believed family and faith were the most important things in his life. He was a member of Glenwood United Methodist Church for many years. He also loved to travel with his family all over the United States, taking his children on a yearly summer vacation. When his children grew up, he and Toni would take their grandchildren on their travels. He adored his family, and found joy attending many functions that his grandbabies and great-grandbabies participated in.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William Arthur Cox and Claira Alene Simmons; wife, Toni Baker Cox; brothers Stanley Cox and Earl Simmons; sisters Dorothy Cox and Annie Cox; son Don Baker Cox; and sons-in-law Jerry Gentry and Danny Bishop.
William is survived by son, Mark Cox and wife, Sheri of Whitehouse; daughter, Karen Lynn and husband, Bobby of Tyler; daughter, Staci Nash Bishop of Tyler, and daughter Jennifer Whitney Griggs and husband, Kenneth of Tyler. Grandchildren, Randall Morgan and wife, Rebecca of Berryville, Amberlee Davis and husband, Brandon, Garrett Lynn and wife, Laura, Kaylee Schmidt and husband, Chris, Jacob Nash and wife, Ashlee, Austin Nash, Jackson Gentry, Aiyana Boyce and husband, Walter, Brian Griggs and Zachary Griggs; his great-grandchildren, Madicyn and Wesson Davis, Kason, Rylan and Cheyenne Morgan, Nolan and Olivia Batty, Oaklynn and Kiley Schmidt, Rayleigh and Silas Lynn, Jaden Nash, Paisley Ridenour, Jordan Ingram, Nixon Neighbors and Jaxon Neighbors. He is also survived by brother, George Cox and sisters, Earline Truehitt and Virginia Lumpkin and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended and adopted family. Pallbearers are Randall Morgan, Garrett Lynn, Zachary Griggs, Brian Griggs, Jacob Nash, Austin Nash, Wesson Davis, and Chris Schmidt.
Visitation will be held Monday, August 10, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 p. m at Lloyd James Funeral Home at 1011 E. First Street, Tyler. The funeral services will be held Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Lloyd James Funeral Home. Interment 2:00 p.m. at Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery,556 Cass County Rd 1641, Jefferson, Texas 75657.
