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William Franklin Gross (Bill) of Sun City Center, Florida entered eternal rest at the age of 81 on 11/03/2023, surrounded by family after a decade long battle with cancer resulting from a military service connected disability, exposure to agent orange, during the Vietnam conflict. |
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Bill was born to William Laverne Gross and Thelma May Riley on 08/09/1942 in Clinton, Indiana and he graduated from Clinton High School in May 1960. He enlisted in and later retired from the United States Air Force as a Master Sergeant, with a 22 year career spanning duty stations in Japan, Thailand, Guam, Alaska, Wisconsin, and Texas, earning a Meritorious Service Medal in addition to other awards and medals. After his military career, Bill worked as a Letter Carrier for the USPS in and around San Antonio, and Bexar County Texas, later retiring a second time.
In 1963, Bill met and married Karen Jean Delmonico of Battle Creek, Michigan, his wife and life partner for 60 years. Bill is survived by his wife, two sons William Jr, and his wife Ann, son Robert and his wife Michaela. Bill and Karen have six grandchildren, Stephanie, Alex, Nathaniel, Livana, Kaylie, and Keenan.
Always the outdoorsman, Bill enjoyed camping with his family, competition skeet shooting, and fishing, especially deep sea. Bill published a collection of short stories, mostly true life experiences, and some humorous anecdotes entitled "Memoirs and Musings of an Old Man". Bill was an excellent cook and grill-master, having perfected grilled salmon and 'hickory smoked brisket'. After studying the construction trades at San Antonio College, working in the construction industry, and teaching construction to underprivileged women, Bill often dallied as carpenter and handyman, building small garages, patio covers, and decks. Perhaps his most joyous builds were several aviaries where Bill raised Cockatoos, Parakeets, and his favorite of the talking birds, Yellow-Naped Amazon Parrots. Throughout his entire life, Bill maintained a close relationship with his now deceased and only sibling, Robert E. Gross, fellow veteran of the US Army, and author of "Memoir & Misadventures of a Mad Inventor," a humorous, autobiographical shenanigans divulgence where Bill is cautiously identified as "older brother".
A private memorial service will be held by Bill's close family members by spreading his ashes in the Gulf of Mexico in accordance with his wishes.
Bill is forever memorialized on (this site), https://www.Bill12Dozen.com/ .
... is a collection of short stories, mostly true life experiences. Many are from my military years, with some musings and humor thrown in for good measure.
Get your copy today on Amazon! The 171 page book is available in paperback or Kindle.
Here's the Amazon link: Memoirs and Musings of an Old Man
