William A. Cox III

Mr. William A. Cox III, of Virginia Beach, passed away peacefully at home on October 27, 2025, after an extended illness. "Bill" Cox, born in 1941, was the first son of William A. Cox, Jr. and Susan Hume Cox. Billy attended WT Cooke Elementary School and graduated in 1960 from Norfolk Academy, where he acquired the nickname of "Sandcrab" as a wrestler, as well as numerous lifelong friends. Upon graduating from Virginia Military Institute in 1964 with a BA in History, he served in the US Army at Ft. Riley, then earned his law degree at the University of Virginia in 1969. After clerking for the Virginia Supreme Court, Bill had a distinguished legal career, serving the greater Hampton Roads region until his retirement in 2019 from Kellam, Pickrell, Cox & Anderson. The HRSD Commission passed a resolution commending his many years of service and numerous leadership positions at the bar, at HRSD, and in the wider community. In 2019 Bill was also honored by the Virginia State Bar for his 50 years of law practice.
Bill was very close to his father, serving as first mate when his dad took the family on offshore fishing trips or weekend boat trips. An avid runner, he might be found running with his friends or with his Gordon Setter along the Virginia Beach boardwalk. Bill married schoolteacher Patricia J. Bristor in 1977, and they raised their daughters Sarah and Margaret in Virginia Beach until her untimely death in 2001. Seven years later, Bill found love again with Jeanne Evans, whom he married in 2010. Bill and Jeanne enjoyed annual snowbird trips to Florida, reminiscing with old friends, and frequent excursions to favorite local restaurants.
Bill will be remembered for his kindly demeanor, support of causes he cared about, "Billy-style" talent for letting people know he's thinking of them without ever actually saying so, ability to identify birds in song or in flight, enormous and very public disdain for Brussels sprouts, love of old mystery movies and classic cars, mischievous escapades as a young person that included several motorcycle-related adventures, enthusiasm for "just a little taste" of any and all desserts, especially mango sorbet, and doing "the Grandpa laugh".
Family members gone before Bill include brother Frank H. Cox III, wife Patricia B. Cox and nephew Adam H. Cox. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jeanne Evans-Cox; daughter Sarah Cox (Juan Botero) and grandchildren Amelia and Pablo; daughter Margaret Cox (Jeremy Wickman) and grandchild Finley; brother Michael Cox (Alma) and nephew Eddie (Shannon) and their children; brother John "Mo" Cox (Adrienne), birthday-twin niece Amy Cox (Patrick Bayer) and nephew Kevin Cox (Jessica) and their children; and stepchildren Jimmy and Jeff Evans, four grandchildren and one great-grandson. Among Bill's many lifelong friends, he enjoyed especially close relationships with Brian and Pat Donnelly and with Bobby and Mary Jo Steinhilber. The family deeply appreciates Bill's wonderful caregivers Arlene, Liza, Ellen and Cecile, who cared for him with expertise and loving kindness.
In lieu of flowers, please honor Bill by supporting NPR (npr.org) and/or the Eastern Shore Chapel Food Pantry (by check to Eastern Shore Chapel, 2020 Laskin Rd, 23454, memo line Food Pantry; or online at (easternshorechapel.org/chapel-pantry then scroll down to Make an online donation). Have "just a little taste" of dessert, and be sure to avoid Brussels sprouts.
Visitation will be on Thursday, October 30, 2025, 5-7 PM, at H.D. Oliver's Laskin Road Chapel, 2002 Laskin Rd, Va. Beach. A service celebrating Bill's life can be joined in person on Friday, October 31, 11 AM, at Eastern Shore Chapel Episcopal Church, 2020 Laskin Rd, Va. Beach, and by livestream on the Eastern Shore Chapel YouTube page (Eastern Shore Chapel YouTube). A luncheon reception will follow in the church social hall.