James William "Bill" Ross Sr. ’49 was born on Aug. 11, 1922 in Chicago, Ill. Bill passed away peacefully at home after a valiant battle with cancer on July 28, 2014. He was a devoted husband, father and Grandad. He was predeceased by his beloved wife, Gloria in 2002 and was married 56 wonderful years. Bill spent most of his life in California, growing up in Woodland. He attended Woodland High School, excelled in football and in 1976 was inducted into the Woodland High School Hall of Fame. He is a veteran of World War II, serving in the Army Air Corps from 1942-1946. He was a graduate of Santa Clara University, the class of 1949, receiving a B.S. in Business. He then worked in major retail organizations in management for 40 years. Bill was a selfless man who always strived to put the needs of his family and friends before his own. He lived in Brentwood, Calif. for the last 11 years and was very active in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, a member of the ICF and a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus. He gave his gift of time throughout his life, volunteering in different capacities; one being a Kaiser volunteer for 11 years. He enjoyed golf and travel and upon retirement lived 10 of his most dear years in Hawaii with his wife Gloria. He is survived by his two daughters, Sherri Dawe and Michele Metaxas and two sons, Jim Ross Jr. and Ben Ross. He has nine grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and loving nieces and nephews.