William Lesley "Bill" Gross, 81, of Jacksonville, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Barton W. Stone Nursing Home. He was born Jan. 20, 1928, in Danville, the son of Verdys "Bert" and Verna Kilgore Gross. He married Barbara Jean Moss in 1949, in Jacksonville.
Surviving are his wife Barbara, a daughter, Gayle (James) Stewart of Galesburg, two sons, David (Barbara) Gross of Jacksonville and Tim Gross of Irvine, CA; five grandchildren Justin and Evan Stewart of Galesburg, and Jay, Jeffrey and Joanna Gross of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bert Gross (surviving wife Mary Lou of Danville), and three sisters, Irene, Frances and Elberta.
Mr. Gross was raised in Danville, attending Lutheran grade schools and Danville High School, where he was named an All-State basketball player. He then served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge, he attended and graduated from Illinois College where he was a four sport letterman. He was later among the first group elected to the college's Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to teach and coach at high schools in Mt. Zion and St. Anne. Returning to Jacksonville, Bill was hired to teach and coach at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. During those years, he also played ball for the Redlegs organization, umpired local baseball games, and refereed local basketball games. He had also served as Head Coach for MacMurray College baseball. Bill retired from ISVI in 1989. For many years, Bill was involved in local and state politics. He was an alderman in Jacksonville, ran for the legislature, and was the Morgan County Democratic Party Chairman for many years. He was also appointed to the State Democratic Board. He loved watching any kind of sports event (Are the Cardinals on?), but he especially enjoyed being a spectator at his grandchildren's athletic events. He also was an avid card player.
Services were entrusted to Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home of Jacksonville, Illinois.
Surviving are his wife Barbara, a daughter, Gayle (James) Stewart of Galesburg, two sons, David (Barbara) Gross of Jacksonville and Tim Gross of Irvine, CA; five grandchildren Justin and Evan Stewart of Galesburg, and Jay, Jeffrey and Joanna Gross of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bert Gross (surviving wife Mary Lou of Danville), and three sisters, Irene, Frances and Elberta.
Mr. Gross was raised in Danville, attending Lutheran grade schools and Danville High School, where he was named an All-State basketball player. He then served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge, he attended and graduated from Illinois College where he was a four sport letterman. He was later among the first group elected to the college's Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to teach and coach at high schools in Mt. Zion and St. Anne. Returning to Jacksonville, Bill was hired to teach and coach at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. During those years, he also played ball for the Redlegs organization, umpired local baseball games, and refereed local basketball games. He had also served as Head Coach for MacMurray College baseball. Bill retired from ISVI in 1989. For many years, Bill was involved in local and state politics. He was an alderman in Jacksonville, ran for the legislature, and was the Morgan County Democratic Party Chairman for many years. He was also appointed to the State Democratic Board. He loved watching any kind of sports event (Are the Cardinals on?), but he especially enjoyed being a spectator at his grandchildren's athletic events. He also was an avid card player.
Services were entrusted to Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home of Jacksonville, Illinois.
William Lesley "Bill" Gross, 81, of Jacksonville, died Monday, Jan. 11, 2010, at Barton W. Stone Nursing Home. He was born Jan. 20, 1928, in Danville, the son of Verdys "Bert" and Verna Kilgore Gross. He married Barbara Jean Moss in 1949, in Jacksonville.
Surviving are his wife Barbara, a daughter, Gayle (James) Stewart of Galesburg, two sons, David (Barbara) Gross of Jacksonville and Tim Gross of Irvine, CA; five grandchildren Justin and Evan Stewart of Galesburg, and Jay, Jeffrey and Joanna Gross of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bert Gross (surviving wife Mary Lou of Danville), and three sisters, Irene, Frances and Elberta.
Mr. Gross was raised in Danville, attending Lutheran grade schools and Danville High School, where he was named an All-State basketball player. He then served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge, he attended and graduated from Illinois College where he was a four sport letterman. He was later among the first group elected to the college's Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to teach and coach at high schools in Mt. Zion and St. Anne. Returning to Jacksonville, Bill was hired to teach and coach at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. During those years, he also played ball for the Redlegs organization, umpired local baseball games, and refereed local basketball games. He had also served as Head Coach for MacMurray College baseball. Bill retired from ISVI in 1989. For many years, Bill was involved in local and state politics. He was an alderman in Jacksonville, ran for the legislature, and was the Morgan County Democratic Party Chairman for many years. He was also appointed to the State Democratic Board. He loved watching any kind of sports event (Are the Cardinals on?), but he especially enjoyed being a spectator at his grandchildren's athletic events. He also was an avid card player.
Services were entrusted to Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home of Jacksonville, Illinois.
Surviving are his wife Barbara, a daughter, Gayle (James) Stewart of Galesburg, two sons, David (Barbara) Gross of Jacksonville and Tim Gross of Irvine, CA; five grandchildren Justin and Evan Stewart of Galesburg, and Jay, Jeffrey and Joanna Gross of Jacksonville. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Bert Gross (surviving wife Mary Lou of Danville), and three sisters, Irene, Frances and Elberta.
Mr. Gross was raised in Danville, attending Lutheran grade schools and Danville High School, where he was named an All-State basketball player. He then served in the U.S. Navy. Upon his discharge, he attended and graduated from Illinois College where he was a four sport letterman. He was later among the first group elected to the college's Athletic Hall of Fame. He went on to teach and coach at high schools in Mt. Zion and St. Anne. Returning to Jacksonville, Bill was hired to teach and coach at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. During those years, he also played ball for the Redlegs organization, umpired local baseball games, and refereed local basketball games. He had also served as Head Coach for MacMurray College baseball. Bill retired from ISVI in 1989. For many years, Bill was involved in local and state politics. He was an alderman in Jacksonville, ran for the legislature, and was the Morgan County Democratic Party Chairman for many years. He was also appointed to the State Democratic Board. He loved watching any kind of sports event (Are the Cardinals on?), but he especially enjoyed being a spectator at his grandchildren's athletic events. He also was an avid card player.
Services were entrusted to Buchanan and Cody Funeral Home of Jacksonville, Illinois.
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