The longtime voice of the Grand Ole Opry has died. Bill Cody passed away on June 9 after an extensive stay in the hospital.
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Cody was the announcer at the Grand Ole Opry and a host at WSM radio, a gig that helped land him in the Country Radio Hall of Fame. Sadly, he had been suffering from organ failure recently. WSM Radio confirmed that Cody had passed.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our dear friend and beloved WSM voice, Bill Cody," the outlet
said in a social media post.Cody had been in the hospital for three weeks. The Grand Ole Opry announcer was battling heart and kidney failure and needed an urgent transplant. Sadly, he passed away after dealing with the illness.
"A singular presence on WSM-AM Nashville for more than three decades, Bill welcomed listeners each morning on Coffee, Country & Cody with a broad smile, a conversational ease, and an unerring ability to make both artists and audiences feel at home," WSM Radio posted on Facebook. "He joined WSM in 1994 and had Charlie Daniels as his first in-studio guest. He built more than a morning show; he created a gathering place rooted in his deep love for country music and the people behind it."
Longtime Grand Ole Opry Voice Dies
The outlet also added, "Bill's voice also became synonymous with the Grand Ole Opry, where he frequently served as host, including Opry Country Classics. His work extended across television and syndicated radio, bringing country music to audiences far beyond Nashville."
Following the death of the Grand Ole Opry announcer, several in the industry took to social media to mourn his loss. This included Carly Pearce, who shared that she had know Bill since 2014.
She wrote on Instagram, :He gave me his email that night & asked me to send him some of my music. I had nothing going on at the time, but he immediately became my champion and started having me in regularly on his radio show."
She continued, "Over the last decade, he became not only a mentor & champion, but my dear friend. He never greeted you with anything less than the warmest smile and devoted his life to country music. It feels cruel to think I will never hear his voice on WSM or hug his neck as I walk onto the Opry stage. I love you, Bill. Thank you for your belief in my talents from the beginning and for being my friend."
