Bill Cody, the longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and WSM Radio host known for his smooth voice and deep knowledge of country music, died at the age of 67. His passing was confirmed on Tuesday by WSM-AM Nashville, where Cody had been a familiar presence for more than three decades.

Cody began working at WSM in 1994, launching the morning program Coffee, Country & Cody. Over the years, he became a trusted voice for country music fans, welcoming listeners with a warm and conversational style that helped foster a sense of community among artists and audiences alike. His first in-studio guest was Charlie Daniels, reflecting the deep connections he maintained within the industry.

Born Trent Clutts on December 16, 1958, in Huntsville, Alabama, Cody was inspired to pursue broadcasting during childhood visits to a Kentucky radio station with his father, a Southern Baptist minister whose sermons were broadcast on the radio. At 17, he was hired as a night DJ at WVLK in Lexington, Kentucky, where he adopted the professional name Bill Cody, inspired by Buffalo Bill, to better suit the airwaves.

Cody’s career in broadcasting spanned nearly 50 years and included work in syndicated radio, television, and film. He appeared in productions such as the film "American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry," PBS’s "Tennessee’s Wild Side," RFD-TV’s "Ray Stevens’ Nashville," and GAC TV’s "Master Series." His contributions were recognized with multiple nominations from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music, and Billboard, culminating in his induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2008. In 2024, he earned a star on the Music City Walk of Fame.

His family shared that Cody had recently been admitted to an intensive care unit due to heart and kidney failure. His daughter, Hannah Davis, described his passing as peaceful, surrounded by family, and marked by a lighthearted moment during a thunderstorm.

Cody is survived by his wife Rebecca, with whom he was together for more than 50 years, their two children, Luke and Hannah, and grandchildren. Their son Levi passed away in 2025. The family resided in Cross Plains, Tennessee.

Dan Rogers, executive producer at the Grand Ole Opry, paid tribute to Cody’s legacy, saying, “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.”