Billy Wayne ‘Bill’ Cossitt, 81
June 12, 1942 – September 22, 2023
TUPELO – Billy Wayne ‘Bill’ Cossitt departed this life on September 22, 2023 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo from cancer. He was 81 years old. Bill was born June 12, 1942, to the late Hubert Paul Cossitt and Edith Foley Cossitt in the Tippah-Union Community of Tippah County. He graduated from Tippah-Union High School in 1960 and attended Northeast MS Community College before entering the work force.
Bill had a multi-decade-long career in newspaper and radio including writing, broadcasting, and sales. He was Sports Editor for the New Albany Gazette and manager/co-owner of WNAU radio station. Known as the “Voice of the New Albany Bulldogs,” Bill broadcast basketball and football for three decades in New Albany and Union County. Major highlights in his career included Ingomar’s overall basketball championship in 1979 and New Albany’s three consecutive state championships from 1985-1987. He later went on to broadcast Northeast Mississippi Community College sports for WBIP in Booneville during the Dontae’ Jones years. After moving to Tupelo to be near family, he worked for Clear Channel radio in sales and broadcasting. His Friday night football broadcast, “Game of the Week,” showcased Lee County and Tupelo schools including Shannon Red Raiders’ championship football season led by Ole Miss standout Romero Miller. He and longtime friend, Jack Cristil, co-hosted a sports talk show every Wednesday afternoon for a decade in Tupelo. Known as the Jack Cristil and Bill Cossitt Show, they interviewed many notable guests including Todd Jordan, former MSU quarterback and Tupelo Mayor.
In addition to sports, Mr. Cossitt was involved in local politics. Many in Union County will remember him broadcasting election results from the courthouse lawn. He volunteered for many local and statewide campaigns over the years. A brilliant wordsmith, he wrote copy for many politicians for their campaigns over the years.
Bill accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at a young age and was a lifelong Presbyterian. He loved his family, coffee club at Danver’s, happy hour with friends, college football, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Green Bay Packers – while Brett Favre was quarterback – with a Cheese Head to prove it! He loved to watch game shows, and family and friends knew not to call during Jeopardy.
Bill was most proud of his daughters and grandchildren. He is survived by his daughters, Kathy Mims Harpole (John) of Olive Branch, and Karen Logan of Belden; his grandsons, Wesley McGaughy Mims, William Luke Mims, and Benjamin Cossitt Logan, his wife Alex and his father, Ben M. Logan; his great-grandchildren, Jackson Lee Mims and Lucy Rose Logan; mother of his daughters, Kay Landrum; a special niece, Chanda Cossitt; and a host of other nieces, nephews and cousins; as well as siblings, Johnnie Cossitt Wood, and Bob Cossitt (Paulette) of New Albany.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and siblings, Paul Cossitt, Mildred Young, Helen Murry, and Dave Cossitt.
Honorary pallbearers will be Russ Wilson, Jim Owen, Harvey Childers, Bill Rutledge, John Stroud, John Myers, Elvis Thomas Warner Bradford, his grandsons, great-grandson, and all the wonderful people he worked with in newspaper and radio over the years.
Visitation will be from 5 to 7 PM on Monday, September 25, 2023, at Holland Funeral Directors in Tupelo. A graveside service will be held at Ebenezer Presbyterian Church in Cotton Plant, Mississippi on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 11 AM. Holland Funeral Directors – Tupelo Chapel is honored to serve the family.
Memorials may be made to Sanctuary Hospice House, P.O. Box 2177, Tupelo, MS 38802.
Please follow the funeral home link above for further information, or to send online condolences or memorial gifts.
