Longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and Country Radio Hall of Famer Bill Cody has died following a period of declining health, WSM Radio announced late Tuesday, June 9, 2026.
Cody was admitted to the intensive care unit approximately three weeks prior due to heart and kidney failure, according to his daughter, Hannah Davis, in a social media update on May 31.
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WSM Radio expressed deep sorrow while confirming the loss of their veteran airwaves personality, who maintained a career spanning nearly five decades in the broadcasting industry.
"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.
A Beloved Voice on WSM and the Opry
The radio station detailed his extensive contributions to the station and the country music community, highlighting his welcoming demeanor during his 30-year tenure as the host of the flagship morning show, Coffee, Country & Cody.
"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," the WSM post read.
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.
The tribute further noted that his professional work reached well beyond local airwaves, encompassing various media platforms and specialized programming.
"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," the station said.
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The network traced his early motivation back to childhood experiences shared with his family in Kentucky before he achieved his professional dreams in Tennessee.
Inspired early on by time spent at a small Kentucky radio station with his father, Bill's passion for broadcasting became a lifelong calling that ultimately led him to the city he once dreamed about as a young boy.
His career achievements earned him numerous accolades, including multiple nominations from the CMA, ACM, and Billboard for broadcasting excellence, alongside a 2008 induction into the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame.
His contributions to broadcasting were recognized with his induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame, a star on the Music City Walk of Fame, and his forthcoming, posthumous induction into the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
Station officials emphasized that his personal character and capacity for meaningful relationships defined his legacy just as much as his industry honors.
"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 station said.
To commemorate his career, the station finalized plans for programming dedicated to his memory.
"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 post read.
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Grand Ole Opry announcer Kelly Sutton joined numerous individuals posting messages of love and tribute following the news on June 9, celebrating the broadcaster who resided in Robertson County with his wife, Rebecca, and their three children.
