Nashville mourns the loss of country music showman Bill Cody

In the hours following news of Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM Radio host Bill Cody’s death, Nashville colleagues, fans and loved ones flocked to social media, sharing their favorite photos and memories of the country music icon.

More: Bill Cody, longtime voice of the Grand Ole Opry, dies

Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton was among the many posting messages of love and tribute following the news of his death: “Our hearts are broken. I will always love you @billcodywsm,” she wrote on Facebook June 9.

Sutton became the first female staff announcer for the famed live music venue in Feb. 2022 and has co-hosted “Coffee, Country and Cody” alongside the late entertainer at WSM Radio since Sept. 2021.

Bill Cody joined the staff at WSM Radio in Apr. 1994, bringing in singer-songwriter Charlie Daniels as his first in-studio guest, Grand Ole Opry wrote on Facebook June 10.

“More than his accolades, Bill will be remembered for his kindness, humility, and genuine gift for connection. He was a trusted voice, a generous friend and a constant companion to generations of listeners,” the over 100-year-old live music venue shared on social media.

Over 32 years, Cody forged many friendships at Opry and WSM Radio including with Grand Ole Opry Executive Producer Dan Rogers.

“Like so many of us at the Opry, Bill Cody lived out his dreams on the Opry stage. More times than I could count he and I would look at each other as if to say, ‘Can you believe we get to do this?’,” Rogers wrote on social media.

“Even better, he made Opry audiences tuned in from around the world feel like they were here too, themselves a part of country music’s most famous show. Then, he’d get up early the next morning and — with that signature smile in his voice — tell everybody about it on his show. He was the best of friends to country music and to everyone who was a part of it. We’re sure going to miss him.”

The Academy of Country Music echoed the heartbreak.

“The Academy is heartbroken over the loss of Bill Cody, a treasured voice in Country Music,” The Academy shared on Facebook on June 9. “A 3-time ACM Awards nominee, Bill served as the announcer and host of the Grand Ole Opry for decades. His warmth, passion, and legacy will live on in Country Music history. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and all who were fortunate enough to know him.”

Who was Bill Cody?

Bill Cody, the longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and Country Radio Hall of Famer whose career spans about half a century on the airwaves, died after a period of declining health, WSM Radio announced late June 9.

“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 was admitted to the intensive care unit in heart and kidney failure in early May, his daughter, Hannah Davis, shared in a Facebook post on May 31.

More: Grand Ole Opry’s Bill Cody in critical condition, daughter says in appeal for prayers

As one of the most familiar and beloved voices in country music broadcasting, Cody helped shape the soundtrack of Nashville for decades. His career spanned decades on the airwaves, including roles in nationally syndicated radio, television, and film, and more than 30 years as host of WSM Radio’s flagship morning show, “Coffee, Country & Cody.”

Over the years, Cody has earned multiple nominations from the CMA, ACM, and Billboard for broadcasting excellence. He was recently honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame in the fall of 2024 and was inducted into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 2008.

Cody graduated from Marion County High School in Lebanon, Kentucky, and studied less than 20 miles down the road at Campbellsville University, a private Christian university in Kentucky, before eventually settling near Cross Plains, Tennessee, in Robertson County.

He’s survived by his children, Luke and Hannah, and his high school sweetheart and wife of 46 years, Rebecca Clutts, who he married Feb. 29, 1980. The couple suffered the tragic loss of their son Levi prior to his passing.

“He wasn’t just amazing when he was hosting at the Grand Ole Opry or on air at WSM Radio. He was an amazing husband to my mom. They are high school sweethearts and he has loved her since study hall where she caught his eye and he thought winking at her from across the room would win her over. And I guess it did because they’ve been together for over 50 years,” Hannah Davis, Cody’s daughter, shared on Facebook June 9.

‘Celebrating a legacy’

The Grand Ole Opry says WSM Radio will honor Cody with a special marathon of unforgettable moments from Coffee, Country & Cody in the days ahead and dedicate their Saturday night show in his memory June 13.

“In the days ahead, WSM will honor Bill with a special marathon of unforgettable moments from Coffee, Country & Cody, celebrating a legacy that will forever be part of our station and our community,” the live music venue shared on social media.

Davis said arrangements will be shared soon and is asking people to share their favorite photos and memories of her dad.

“Arrangements will be shared as soon as they are made. If you have pictures or stories, you would like to share, please do so in the comments. We would love to see them and hear them,” Davis wrote on social media.

Davis lives in Cross Plains with her husband of nearly 12 years, Aaron, and their two children Lily and Isaiah. She made a public plea for prayers May 31 when her dad was admitted to the ICU in critical condition about three weeks prior.

On the evening of June 9, she took to social media once again to share news of his death earlier that day.

“It is with an unimaginable grief that we want to let everyone know that my dad is fully healed and in the arms of Jesus. He passed peacefully this afternoon surrounded by family and was welcomed into heaven as thunder bellowed outside, and we laughed because we knew it was a band of angels rejoicing. And we know my brother, Levi, was waiting for him,” Davis wrote.

“I can’t begin to tell you how many people have called and messaged to check on daddy, offer prayers and also tell stories about him. Though the stories were different the theme was always the same…He was genuinely kind. On and off the stage.”

She also thanked the medical personnel who cared for him in his final days, calling for continued prayers.

“We rest assured that the doctors and nurses at St. Thomas West provided him with the best care possible. No stone was left unturned and the culture of kindness and faith was so amazing and comforting,” she said.

“We covet your continued prayers during this time and we know ‘The Lord is close to the brokenhearted’ and though our life on this earth will never be the same we know we will walk the streets of Heaven with him one day soon!”

Katie Nixon can be reached at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville mourns the loss of country music showman Bill Cody