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At a dedication ceremony yesterday, Norfolk Southern Corp. named a new yard office facility in Williamson, W.Va., the J. W. Fox Jr. Building to honor the late John William Fox Jr., who retired as senior vice president of coal services in 2003, capping a 35-year NS career.

Fox, who died in January, headed the railroad's coal group for seven years. He is credited with boosting revenue and improving customer service and cost controls, NS officials said in a prepared statement.

Fox began his career in 1969 as an assistant trainmaster for the Norfolk and Western Railway. In 1993, he became general manager of NS’ eastern region, and later joined the coal marketing department as assistant vice president of sales and service.

"Bill was a railroader, respected not only by his fellow employees, but by customers as well," said Danny Smith, NS’ senior vice president of coal marketing.

The Williamson Yard office building features a parking garage, conference and training room, and offices for management personnel. The yard — which handles about 45 trains per day — has been a “critical linchpin” in the coal network for more than 100 years, NS officials said.