William Cogdell

William "Billy" Cogdell, born on September 30, 1950, in Cleveland, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on August 13, 2025, in Pelzer, South Carolina.

Billy grew up in Moore, SC and played football for Dorman High School, Shortly after graduating from Dorman, Billy headed to Vietnam, where he saw active combat. Vietnam followed him the rest of his life, and kept him humble. After dedicating four years of service to the United States army, he was honorably discharged and awarded service medals.

Billy spent most of his adult life working construction, but the racetrack was his passion. He loved every kind of racing there was, but especially dirt tracks. He also had a genuine fondness for nature and wildlife. Billy spent the last decade of his life on the edge of an old-growth forest, feeding birds and squirrels, tending to animals, and watching the races.

He is survived by his loving stepdaughter Krystal Grant, who is married to Ken of Pelzer; his cherished grandchildren: Raegan Cogdell of Moore, SC, Dalen Cogdell of Wellford, SC, Kyle Grant of Greenville, SC, Jordan Grant of Raleigh, NC, Cassidy Grant of Raleigh, NC, Nia Kitchens of Atlanta, GA, and Nate Grant of Pelzer, SC. He is also survived by three great-grandchildren Callie Davis, Carsyn Davis, and Carter Davis. His adopted son Joey Cogdell also survives him, along with his 7 children and 11 grandchildren of Portage, IN. 

Billy was predeceased by his beloved son Kevin Duane Cogdell, as well as his parents, Robert Clyde Cogdell and Naomi Aurilla Metcalf, and his siblings, Shirley Jane Cogdell, Barbara Heckman, and Barry Eugene Metcalf.

Everyone who knew him has stories to tell, as Billy was truly one-of-a-kind. He will be missed by many, but perhaps most of all by the fat squirrels outside his window.