| Birth Date: | June 12, 1904 in |
| Birth Place: | Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Death Date: | June 3, 1996 (aged 91) |
| Death Place: | Webster, New York, U.S. |
| Sport: | Athletics |
| Event: | Mile, 5000 m, 3000 m |
| Pb: | Mile – 4:18.6 (1927) |
| Club: | Mercersburg Academy, Lancaster |
| Show-Medals: | yes |
William John 'Spuds' Cox[1] (June 12, 1904 – June 3, 1996) was an American middle-distance runner.[2] Although initially qualifying for the 5,000m team at the 1924 Olympics, he competed in the 3,000m team race. He placed eighth individually, thereby winning a team bronze medal, together with Edward Kirby and Willard Tibbetts.[3]
Cox was educated at the Rochester Shop School, Mercersburg Academy, and Pennsylvania State University. While at Mercersburg he put on several pounds in weight due to his love of potatoes in the school dining room, earning him the nickname 'Spuds'.[1] In later years he returned to Rochester Shop School (then known as Edison Technical School) and taught mathematics for 36 years.[4] Scots American coach Jimmy Curran trained him at Mercersburg.[3]