William Thor "“Bill”" Cox

1961 - 2024

William "Bill" Thor Cox, 63, devoted husband and father, passed away peacefully on October 3rd after a valiant eight-year battle with kidney failure. He was born in Hollywood California, July 15, 1961, to William and Deloris Cox, the second of three children. He always faced life with limitless optimism and a buoyant sense of humor. Bill treasured his relationship with the Lord and cared deeply for his family and friends. He loved sharing the gospel with others.
After losing his father at age 9, Bill felt inspired to take on the role of supportive caretaker for his mother and brothers. When they moved to Duluth, MN to be closer to family, Bill took on small jobs from an early age delivering papers, doing yard work, raising money for Boy Scout camp, and other activities that he might do to ease the family's financial burden.
Bill graduated from East High School in 1979, where he participated in band and football. In July 1983, Bill married Kathleen Lynott, the love of his life. He then graduated Cum Laude from The University of Minnesota-Duluth with a B.S. in Accounting in 1984. He achieved his dream of working for a Big-8 accounting firm in Minneapolis beginning with Ernst & Whinney in 1984. In 1993, Bill was recruited to join Metropolitan Financial where he served as Controller. A year later, he joined US Bank as a Sr. VP and Assistant Controller for five years after the acquisition of Metropolitan. Bill then spent twelve years with GMAC (now Ally) as Managing Director of FP&A. He blossomed in his new role as a Strategic Planner in finance. Bill carried that expertise on to Ceridian through 2013 as an interim role until joining Green Tree Credit (now Ditech) as AVP and Asst. Controller for four years. As his health allowed, he continued to work as it brought him tremendous joy and fulfillment. He was an extrovert who thrived on interactions with friends and coworkers. Bill was a Director of Finance for Equinity, a VP of Finance for Lend Smart as well as private consulting for three more years. One of his greatest joys was to start two new companies this year: Up North Outdoor Adventures and Superior Accounting Solutions, LLC; the former includes a 35-foot cycle cruise pontoon boat which he dreamed of captaining on Lake Vermilion.
Bill loved being part of his sons' lives teaching, coaching basketball and mentoring. An Eagle Scout, he encouraged his sons to join the Boy Scouts. He served as Treasurer and Den leader for the Boy Scouts of Pack 28 and also for the Oak Hill Montessori School in Shoreview, MN.
He is predeceased by his parents William and Deloris Cox and his in-laws Bill and Mary Lynott. He is survived by his wife Kathleen Lynott Cox, his sons Brian Cox(Amy), Jason Cox and Stewart Cox. And one granddaughter Sarah Grace Cox. Also survived by his brothers John Cox (Laura) and Mikel Cox (Liz).
Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 19th, 2024 at 1 pm with a memorial service to follow at 2 pm at The Landing Church (9302 West Skyline Parkway, Duluth Minnesota 55810). There will be a private burial at a later date.