William Ross
Ross, William W. 95, passed away peacefully at his home in Ladue, MO. early Monday morning, May 24, 2010, after a brief illness. Loving and devoted husband of the late Jane Lois Ross to whom he was married for 70 years. Loving father of Abby (Craig) Olson of Red Wing, Minnesota and Katherine Froyd of Springfield, Virginia; loving father-in-law of Paul Froyd; devoted grandfather of Jess (Stephanie) Olson, Erica (Thor Young) Froyd, Laura (Christopher) Waterton and Alexis Froyd: and loving great-grandfather of Celia and Claire Olson, Thomas Waterton, and Leif Young. William Ross was born in Frankfurt, Germany, on August 29, 1914, was educated there at Goethe Gymnasium, emigrating to St. Louis in 1933. He attended St. Louis University and graduated from Washington University with a degree in business, shortly thereafter becoming a Certified Public Accountant. He worked in public accounting before joining the private investment firm, Sidney M. Shoenberg and Company, in 1958 and remained with them until his retirement in 2003. He was a dedicated and committed member of the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis for almost 60 years. The church was a focal point of his life and provided a strong and caring community in which he found many loving friendships and opportunities for learning and spiritual growth. He served on the church Board of Trustees for many years, including serving as treasurer for most of that time. The church subsequently established the William W. Ross Service Award to be given by special vote of the Board to individuals who have given distinguished institutional service to the church. Mr. Ross also served as chair of the St. Louis Unitarian Foundation for Children (formerly the Mission Free School) for many years. Mr. Ross was a man of courage, generosity, integrity and compassion, whose love, caring and concern for his friends and family, and long standing support for his church and community have made him much beloved by all. He made friends everywhere he went and took great interest in learning from all those he met. Throughout his life, into his 90s, he continued to discover, learn and grow and through his wisdom and caring he enriched the lives of all around him. Services: His life is being celebrated with friends and family in a memorial service at the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis, 5007 Waterman, at the corner of Waterman and Kingshighway, on Sunday, May 30, at 4:30 p.m. A reception will follow in the Fellowship Hall of the Church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the First Unitarian Church of St. Louis or to a charity of your choice.