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William H. 'Bill' Ross Kenilworth, IL QCWA # 21502 |
William Harold Ross, born in Chicago on May 26, 1930, died of cancer in his Kenilworth home on February 29, 2016, in the company of his wife, Pamela Pilat Ross, and daughter, Katharine Ross. Son of the late Harold and Margaret Ross of Winnetka and Sarasota FL, Mr. Ross is also survived by his son-in-law, Andrew Smith, by his brothers Donald J. (Cynthia) Ross of Wilmette, Jeffrey S. (Deborah) Ross of Winnetka, sisters Diana (Stephen) Ruth of Falls Church, VA and Dulcy (Spencer) Brainard of Darien, CT, and by 15 nieces and nephews and their children.
A lifetime resident of the Chicago area, Bill attended Sacred Heart and Skokie schools and graduated in 1948 from New Trier High School, where he played varsity baseball. He attended Wabash College and graduated from Cornell University's Hotel Management School, after which he earned an MBA from the University of Michigan.
As a naval supply officer during the Korean War, he was stationed in Hawaii, gathering stories and adventures he delighted in remembering for decades to follow and remaining close to many of the friends made during his school and service years.
Returning to Chicago in the mid-1960s, Bill began a career of more than 50 years in the financial industry, working at Merrill Lynch, William Blair and Morgan Stanley. He continued to commute until the month before his death. Boasting that he could remember when the sunken tracks were dug for the Northwestern railroad, Bill valued the deep roots he had in the North Shore. He lectured at the Winnetka Historical Society about his world-class collection of early radio-show premiums featuring shows such as Gangbusters and The Lone Ranger.
As a young teenager and Eagle Scout, Bill built and operated ham radios, an interest he sustained throughout his life. Signing on first as W9OXL and later as W9WR, he connected weekly with ham operators all over the globe. He developed highly regarded collections of vintage electric model trains, American Indian pottery, and early electronics instruments, including a functioning television from the early 1930s that could display the first TV signal transmitted from the Wrigley building.
Whether caring for koi in his backyard pond, writing a report for his colleagues, or chasing down a rare Green Hornet premium, Bill was meticulous, determined and thorough.
A loyal husband, father, brother, uncle and friend he will be lovingly remembered by his extended family and all who knew him.
Visitation is Saturday, March 5, 2016 12:00 p.m. until time of Funeral Mass 12:30 p.m. at Sacred Heart Church, 1077 Tower Road, Winnetka, IL 60093. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to American Cancer Society , please designate Lung Cancer Research, www.cancer.org.