Bill Leon Fox

Bill Leon "Papa" Fox, age 83, of Battle Creek passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family on Tuesday, October 9, 2018. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and was a very loving, caring husband, father, and grandfather. Bill was born December 13, 1934 in Grand Rapids, Michigan and moved to Battle Creek as a child, graduating from Battle Creek Central High School with the Class of 1954.

Bill joined the United States Air Force and served four years. He married Jacqueline (May) Fox in 1959, which ended in divorce. Bill joined the Air National Guard and retired as a Master Sergeant. He worked for the Railroad as his full-time job retiring in 1991. During the time he worked for the Railroad, he also drove a school bus for the Battle Creek Public Schools. In 1984, he met the "Love of His Life", Violet Marie Cooper and was married June 1, 1985 forever in the Washington D.C. Temple.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Thelma and Phillip Fox; sister, Patricia Attarian; daughter, Sarah Ruth Cooper; sons, Bill L. Fox, and Phillip J. Fox; son-in-law, Clarence Noel; three grandsons; and nephew, Michael Attarian. Bill is survived by his wife, Violet Marie Fox; children, Michael Cooper, Andrew (Arlene) Cooper, William (Robin) Cooper, Lisa (David) Adams, Donald (Robin) Cooper, James (Karen) Cooper, Jeff (Chris) Cooper, Paul (Katherine) Fox, John (Melinda) Cooper, Joseph (Sandra) Cooper, Amy (Craig) Emens, Jackie Noel, Elizabeth (Timothy) Sayles; 61 grandchildren; over 100 great-grandchildren; 5 great-great grandchildren; brother-in-law, Dr. Archie Attarian; and nephew and niece, Archie (Ginger) Attarian, Jr. and Teri (Ed) McGinnis.

Bill enjoyed bowling, fishing, playing cribbage, and performing card tricks for the grandchildren. He had a terrific sense of humor. What he enjoyed most in life was doing Missionary work.

The family will receive friends 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Thursday, October 18th at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care. Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 19th at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 1312 Capital Ave. SW, Battle Creek, where the family will also receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Memorials directed to Great Lakes Caring Hospice would be appreciated. Personal messages for the family and/or favorite memories of Bill may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.