William Joel Cox III, "Big Bill", age 50, of Keshena, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, November 30, 2021. He was born in Shawano, on March 9, 1971, to William Cox Jr. and the late Lorraine "Suzie" (Warrington) Cox. He attended the Menominee Indian High School and graduated with the class of 1989. He developed into a talented basketball player and continued playing at the college level at Gulf Coast Community College in Panama City, FL. He continued to enjoy playing in many All-Indian Tournaments across the Midwest for many years. Bill married Elena (Heath) Cox in 1995. Bill ran his own logging company, WJC III Logging, and loved being outdoors partaking in all the activities the Menominee land offered. He attended FLETC (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center) and became a Conservation Warden for the Menominee Indian Tribe. Bill loved fishing, hunting and boating with his family. Despite his dislike for flying, Bill endured it to travel with family. Their most recent trips were to Italy, England and Hawaii before the pandemic. His family will remember him as a gentle giant who was always there for support, as well as an excellent cook.

Bill is survived by his father, William, Elena and their four children: William Cox IV, Alaqua (Erich) Cox, Leah "Katie" Cox and Jordan Cox. He is further survived by numerous nephews, nieces, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his mother Lorraine "Suzie", and a baby sister, Katie Sue.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Neopit with Fr. Hanz Christian officiating. Visitation will be held at St. Michael's Parish Hall in Keshena from 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 1, 2021, until the procession leaves for church on Friday.