William Washington "Will" Cossey was born on November 29, 1877 to parents John Leonard Cossey and Lucinda Jane Aday Cossey. At age 18, Will married Polly Emaline Bridges (linked below) on September 23, 1897 in Pope County, Arkansas. Both were listed as residents of Ella, Arkansas at the time of their marriage. He and Polly were married for 68 years until Polly's passing in 1966 at age 87. Will survived Polly for almost seven years; he was a resident of North Little Rock when he passed away at age 95 in April 1973. At the time of his passing, his obituary noted seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

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U.S. census listings (spellings intact):

1880 - Archey Valley Township, Van Buren County, Arkansas
   John L. Cassey, Head, M, 28, b. TN
   Lucinda Cassey, Wife, 25, b. AR
   Arleava A. Cassey, Daughter, 6, b. AR
   Fredrich E. Cassey, Son, 4, b. AR
   William W. Cassey, Son, 2, b. AR
   James M. Cassey, Son, 0, b. AR

1900 - Smyrna, Pope County, Arkansas
   William Cossey, Head, M, 22, b. AR
   Polly Cossey, Wife, 21, b. NC
   Della Cossey, Daughter, 6 mo., b. AR
   Mollie Bridges, Niece, 7, b. AR

1910 - Wileys Cove, Searcy Co., Arkansas
   William N. Cossey, Head, M, 33, b. AR
   Polly E. Cossey, Wife, 31, b. NC
   Della C. Cossey, Daughter, 10, b. AR
   Elsie J. Cossey, Daughter, 7, b. AR
   Olva L. Cossey, Son, 1, b. AR

1920 - Walls twnshp, Lonoke Co., Arkansas
   Will Cossey, Head, M, 42, b. AR
   Polly Cossey, Wife, 41, b. NC
   Elsie Cossey, Daughter, 17, b. AR
   Oliver Cossey, Son, 11, b. AR
   Dorthy Cossey, Daughter, 6, b. AR

1930 - Walls twnshp, Lonoke Co., Arkansas
   W. W. Cossey, Head, M, 52, b. AR
   Pollie Cossey, Wife, 51, b. NC
   Dorothy Cossey, Daughter, 16, b. AR

1940 - Keo, Lonoke County, Arkansas
   Oliver Cossey, Head, M, 31, b. AR
   Leatha Cossey, Wife, 27, b. NC
   Delories Cossey, Daughter, 9, b. AR
   Bobby Cossey, Son, 7, b. AR
   Wallace Cossey, Son, 2, b. AR
   William Cossey, Father, 61, b. AR
   Polly Cossey, Mother, 60, b. AR

At the time of his World War II Draft Registration Card, Will is recorded as age 63, living in North Little Rock, Arkansas, employed by Stenie Construction Co. in Little Rock as a carpenter. His person of contact was Mrs. Dorthy Bowden (his daughter), with whom he was residing. His date of birth was listed as November 29, 1878 instead of 1877.

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