CHARLESTON -- Willis Henry Cox, 65, of Charleston, died Friday, Aug. 25, 1995, at Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born Jan. 12, 1930, in Charleston, son of Ernest and Gearldine Folkes Cox. He and Alberta Betts were married July 24, 1953.

Cox was a graduate of Lincoln High School. He worked 24 years with Charleston Department of Public Safety, retiring in November 1994. He had also been a deputy with Mississippi County Sheriff's Department.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Willis Cox Jr. of Charleston; a daughter, Thelma Cox of Charleston; two brothers, Ernest Cox Jr. of Fort Wayne, Ind., Charles Bates of Chicago; a sister, Thelma Russell of Fort Wayne, and a granddaughter.

Friends may call from 7-8 p.m. Friday at Sparks Funeral Home.

Funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Opportunity Church of God in Christ, with Elder Steve Betts officiating. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery.