Rest in peace, Bill. Bill Cody, a Country Radio Hall of Famer, longtime Grand Ole Opry announcer and one of the most beloved voices in country radio history, was recently admitted to the ICU due to heart and kidney failure four weeks ago and tragically passed away last night at the age of 67. According to his daughter, Hannah, Cody has been on a “roller coaster” of emotions, as well as tests, dialysis, medications and steps both forwards and backwards throughout the last month. Though the Country Radio Hall of Famer passed all tests to receive a double transplant of both his heart and kidney, something Hannah described as the only option for his survival, Cody’s health has taken a downward spiral over the weekend of May 29th. On May 30th, his heart strength and ability to pump blood were severely diminished, causing the doctors to intubate him and put him on an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which is an advanced artificial life support that continuously pumps blood outside the body and adds oxygen to the lungs. In an Instagram post from WSM Radio, which is the home of the Grand Ole Opry, on Sunday, May 31st, Hannah would provide a list of prayers for her father as well as a further explanation of what the next 48 hours held. View this post on Instagram Despite an outpouring of support from the fellow radio giants, artists and fans alike, Cody tragically passed away in Nashville on Tuesday. WSM Radio would confirm his passing in a heartfelt post on social media, celebrating his life and listing his career accomplishments, which include an 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 View this post on Instagram A plethora of stars took to the comment section to mourn the loss of the radio giant, including the likes of Randy Travis, Garth Brooks, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen and many more. “Bill Cody will always be the ‘Rock of Gibraltar’ in country music! From the time he first introduced me onstage, in Daytona Beach, in the late 80’s, I knew he would always be the friend I could count on… no matter how smooth or turbulent the times might be. Bill was the true example of the heart of country music. If you needed anything, he was first in line to help. Always kind. Always happy. Always encouraging—. Bill’s smile reminded us that everything was well with the world…but, today shades of gray cloud the horizon as news of his passing set in. It is a better world because Bill Cody left his mark on it—never to be erased, or replaced! We send prayers of strength and understanding to his family as they send their angel back home…thank you for sharing him with all of us for so many years.” – Randy Travis “Country Music has lost one of its pillars. Bill was just as important to the fabric of our music and city as any artist, songwriter or musician. No one loved Country Music, its history and its characters more than Bill Cody. Prayers to his family and Charlie and Kelly and everyone that knew and loved him at WSM and the Opry.” – Dierks Bentley “There might be someone somewhere in the world who loved country music as much, but nobody loved country music more than Bill Cody.” – Garth Brooks “Tough loss for our Country Music family.” – Jake Owen “My sweet friend! I’m so grateful that I got to see you and spend time with you yesterday. You were always a safe place for me. I love you so much. I will miss you, for now. I find peace in knowing you had such a rich relationship with Jesus and I will see you in the midst of Gods glory” – Jo Dee Messina “The impact Bill Cody made on country music and its artists is too great to be measured… it will never be the same without him. I’m so thankful I had the honor to know him.” – Emily Ann Roberts “We love you Bill.” – Carly Pearce Born in Lexington, Kentucky, as Trent Clutts, Cody began his career in radio at the age of 17 at a local station, WVLK. Here, he was asked to drop his real name and thus adopted his radio name, Bill Cody, in honor of a childhood hero, “Buffalo Bill” Cody. Cody would eventually find his home at WSM Radio in 1994, hosting the popular morning show “Coffee, Country & Cody.” At the Opry, he hosted “Opry Country Classics” as well as regular weekend editions of the Opry, which remained a staple for the iconic venue. Additionally, Cody hosted the likes of GAC’s “Master Series,” “Tennessee’s Wild Side” for public television, and the syndicated radio shows, “Classic Country Weekend With Bill Cody” and “Pure American Country.” Saturday night’s live broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry, which features the likes of Charles Esten, Dailey & Vincent, Maisie Peters, Riders in the Sky and more, will be dedicated to Lexington native. Additionally, WSM says it will be airing a “special marathon of unforgettable moments from ‘Coffee, Country & Cody'” to honor the late radio legend.The post Longtime Opry Announcer & Radio Host, Bill Cody, Passes Away At 67 first appeared on Whiskey Riff.