Mr. William Hugh 'Bill' Ross

William Hugh Ross passed from this life on July 14, 2013. Bill, as known to many of his friends, was born July 29, 1926. He was born in the Liberty Community to William “Billy” and Anne Lou Ross. He was preceded in death by his loving wife A. Marie Ross of 64.5 years; his son, Robert W. “Bob” Ross; his parents, and his sister, Lula Mae Strong; and his brother, B. Franklin Ross. Mr. Ross spent his entire life of 86 years in Henderson. He graduated from Henderson High School and completed extensive study at Texas A&M University and Kilgore College during his years of employment as an engineer liaison at Texas Eastman Company in Longview. Mr. Ross served his country during World War II in the Pacific Theater and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant after his first year of service. He returned to Henderson after the cessation of World War II with the bombing of Japan. He then met and married his beloved wife Marie W. Ross upon his return to Henderson. Mr. Ross loved working with young people, and he served many seasons as a Little League Coach. He served as the first President of the Henderson Optimist Club. He received several commendations from his superintendent during his career at Texas Eastman Company for service to disadvantaged youth. He also served as a Cub Scout leader and supported the local Camp Fire Organization. Mr. Ross was a member of First Baptist Church of Henderson. Mr. Ross had an undying love for his family and had a work ethic that allowed him to consistently be on time to his employment at Texas Eastman in Longview for 35 years. He had a zeal for any project he attempted and was known as “Uncle” to his nephews and was a father figure to many young men. Bill Ross grew up as a young man in the post-depression era and he as such was a man of strong character and principles. He will be missed immensely. William Hugh Ross loved his family and he loved his Lord. He is survived by his daughter, Carol Ann Ross Young; and his grandchildren, Jeffrey A. Young and Aimee R. Young Burns and her husband Chris Burns, all of the Houston area. Mr. Ross is also survived by five great-grandchildren, Colleen Burns, Andrew Burns, Ethan Burns, Logan B. Griswold, and William Spencer Young. He is also survived by his nephews, Tommy Strong of Henderson and Bill Strong of Killen, AL; and Bennie and Frank Ross and niece Debbie Ross of Louisiana and Arkansas; his life-long friend, Otis Brooks; and as he called “his best friend”, Vaughn Merritt Sr. gave him support and aided him in his last years of life. William Hugh “Bill” Ross left a legacy that is seldom matched. Pallbearers will be Jess Young, Harold Howell, Phil Pirtle, John Foster, Chris Dobbins, and Jim Young. Honorary pallbearers will be Otis Brooks, Tommy Strong, Bill Sitton, Donald Ross, Armel Williams, Tony Stone, Micah Howard, and Bill Strong. Funeral services for Mr. Ross will be held at 11 am Wednesday, July 17, 2013 in the chapel of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home with Rev. Dwayne Yates and Rev. Bill Tisdale officiating. Interment will follow at Lakewood Memorial Park under the direction of Crawford-A. Crim Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 10 am until service time on Wednesday, July 17 at the funeral home. Words of comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordacrim.com.

Mr. William Hugh 'Bill' Ross

July 29, 1926 - July 14, 2013