William “Bill” Oxford, born and raised in Millen, Georgia, was a devoted husband, father, veteran, community leader and craftsman.
After graduating from high school, he attended Berry College and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War era, stationed at Fort Gordon (now Fort Eisenhower) from 1954 to 1956. Following an honorable discharge, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Georgia State University in 1959 and an MBA from Jacksonville State University in 1975.
Bill enjoyed a 34-year career in rural electric cooperatives, serving as public relations director at Planters Electric in Millen, Georgia; director of public relations and member services at Sand Mountain Electric in Rainsville, Alabama; and general manager of Cherokee Electric in Centre, Alabama, until his retirement in 1993. He held numerous leadership roles, including chairman of the Alabama Rural Electric Association and member of the Tennessee Valley Authority Board of Directors.
Deeply committed to community service, Bill served as chairman of the Millen American Red Cross, president of the Jaycees, a member of the Millen and Centre Rotary clubs—including serving as the founding president of the Centre Rotary Club—and chairman of Easter Seals fundraising efforts. He also served as a past member of the Rainsville and Cherokee County chambers of commerce, held every elected office in the Millen Jaycees and was named Outstanding Jaycee for two consecutive years.
A faithful member and deacon of Rainsville Baptist Church and Centre First Baptist Church, Bill placed faith, family and helping others at the center of his life.
In retirement, he pursued many creative hobbies, including painting landscapes, building kit airplanes and creating stained-glass art. He loved “tinkering” with clocks of every kind and even crafted unique clocks from discarded salvage pieces. He also enjoyed winemaking, sharing muscadine wine from his collection of Sundown Wines with family and friends.
Bill loved talking about bird-watching and his extensive collections of Lionel trains, cuckoo clocks and antiques. He was fondly remembered for his generosity. He brightened the lives of others through cheerful visits, often bringing candy and doughnuts, and by providing companionship at the Cherokee County Senior Center.
Bill’s legacy is one of service, creativity, generosity and kindness.
He is survived by his son, William Wade (Madonna) Oxford II; daughters, Susan Oxford Mayer, Cindy Oxford and Lori (Dr. Charles) Oxford Hart; grandchildren, Payton (Jordan) Bowling, Heather (Andrew) Hart Guilbert, Zack (Emily) Hart, Chaz Hart, Haley (Cameron) Francis, Mary Frances (Joshua) Martin-Orsulak, Aren Oxford, Kane Oxford, Shoi Oxford and Ryan Oxford; great-grandchildren, Aiden and Anders Guilbert, Oxford and Tillie Bowling, and Adeline and Cayden Hart; and brother, Wayne Oxford.
He was preceded in death by his wives, Mary Frances Johnson Oxford and Jane Culver Oxford; his parents, Ike and Oberta Heath Oxford; brothers, ID and Toby Oxford; and grandson, Heath Mayer.
Funeral services will be held Saturday at 4 p.m. in the chapel of Perry Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 2 p.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.
The family is accepting flowers, or donations may be made to the Centre First Baptist Church Building Fund.
Perry Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
