The Next Chapter

You all know her as Anne Rentz.  I’ve called her ‘Chapter One’ for the last six years, a reference to Anne as the subject of the first chapter in my book A Passion for Running.  The title of Anne’s chapter is ‘Running for Fun’ and depicts the transformation of an admitted couch potato at 40 years of age taking up the sport of running and then taking her life in an entirely new direction; one of exercise, physical fitness and eventually the finish line of a 100-mile race. 

Anne’s transformation from couch potato to athlete began when she lived in Marietta, Georgia and ventured outside one day for a casual walk.  She met up with a group of people who told her they walked every day; they invited Anne to join them.  One member of the group was a gentleman who had lived his entire life in Marietta.  His name was William Mayfield Cox, Jr.  It wasn’t long before ‘Eagle Bill’ became a large part of Anne’s life.  Friend, coach, mentor… and then 15 years later, husband.

Anne and Bill were married for a little over seven years before Bill’s life on earth sadly and suddenly came to an end.  The date: January 12, 2015.   He was 83 years young and only a few months removed from fulfilling his dream of riding the 95 miles of the Silver Comet Trail on his recumbent tricycle.  Bill’s late-in-life accomplishment is not surprising. At age 55 he suffered a heart attack and his doctor advised him to exercise if he wanted to continue living.  Bill took the doctor’s advice to heart: He immediately started walking four miles every day, and his commitment to a healthy lifestyle served him well for the next three decades. 

Bill lived quite the full life.  As Anne’s sister Becky said so eloquently at his memorial service, Bill was ‘the wind beneath Anne’s wings.’  He was also:

·      President of Cox Printing Company in Marietta for 60 years.

·      Little League coach of the Westside Warriors football team.

·      President and coach of Custer Park baseball.

·      Founding member of the ‘Circle of Wisdom’ Social Club.

·      Member of the First United Church.

·      Committed husband, father, grandfather and brother.

Bill’s belief in physical fitness and an active lifestyle was exemplified not only by his involvement as a competitor, coach and enthusiast but also through his volunteerism.  It was a regular sight for many years to see Bill supporting Anne in her long-distance races of marathon distances or longer while doing all he could to support the other competitors as well.  In 2008 Bill earned the Darkside Running Club’s Mama Betty Award, a recognition bestowed on the outstanding volunteer of the year. 

It is my honor to have known Bill Cox as a friend.  I don’t ever recall seeing him without his infectious smile, a hat on his head or Anne by his side.  As those who know him can attest, Bill was never at a loss for words.  The man loved to talk.  He also loved his family, he loved his country and he loved his ‘Chapter One.’ 

My favorite photograph of Bill and Anne is on page 272 of A Passion for Running.  Both of them have smiles on their faces (shockingly, Bill isn’t wearing a hat) and cutting a piece of their wedding cake hand-in-hand.  The caption beneath the picture reads ‘Bill and Anne, Husband and Wife.’

I encourage you to look at that photograph so you can see the smile on Bill’s face.

Then you can appreciate something I’ve always known: Anne was the wind beneath Bill’s wings as well. 

You will be missed, Eagle Bill.  Missed, but never forgotten.