- On Tuesday morning, December 19, William L. Ross III passed away with his wife of 50 years, Marilyn, his son, Bill, and his sister, Sheila, by his side. Bill had been in failing health for the past year, but his life was filled with rich history, wonderful experiences, and vast memories with family and friends. Born on July 15, 1941 in Los Angeles, CA, to Dr. William Ross and Jacqueline Mathieu Ross, Bill grew up the eldest of three children with his brother Robert close in age and their younger sister Sheila. Tradition had always been an important part in Bill's life. He was raised in the heart of Los Angeles in the Hancock Park district where he, his brother Bob, and many of their friends would play football across the street on the front lawn of John Burroughs Junior High School. Bill attended Loyola High School, following in his father's and grandfather's footsteps. He demonstrated a love for sports and outdoor activities at an early age, as well as a commitment to academic excellence as one of the top students in the demanding Jesuit program. Later, he would go on to attend the University of Southern California majoring in Economics and then earning his Master's in Business Administration. Bill's father was a wartime Marine serving in World War II as a medical doctor, and like his dad, Bill would answer his own calling to serve his country during the Vietnam War. Without hesitation he enlisted in the Marine Officers Candidate School, graduated after 13 weeks of intense training, and was duly enlisted into the Corps. Rising to the rank of Captain, he served in-country in Vietnam from June of 1967 to July of 1968, during that time experiencing the pivotal conflict known as the Tet Offensive on new years 1968. After his tour in Vietnam, Bill returned to Los Angeles to his wife Marilyn Druliner Ross and their new baby girl, Christine Marie. They started their home in the Park La Brea area of Los Angeles and soon after moved to Pacific Palisades, which was close to Bill's parent's home. A few years later in 1972 they welcomed their second child, William Ross, IV. Bill and Marilyn created a beautiful life in Los Angeles filled with family and friends. They spent their summers at the beach where Bill loved to body surf and they were regulars at the Jonathan Club in Santa Monica, CA. As a life-long fan of sports, Bill and family and friends regularly attended USC Football games for many seasons; he was a die-hard Trojan. Bill's professional life centered in finance and operating roles. He began his career with large corporations including IBM and Dart Industries and later moved to San Diego, CA to join a start-up technology company in the semiconductor industry, J.C. Schumacher Company. Bill and Marilyn would eventually move back to Los Angeles to finish his professional career at Kirtland & Packer Law Firm before retiring in the Palm Desert and Bermuda Dunes areas. In retirement, Bill was an active member of the Mitchell Paige Medal of Honor Chapter, 1st Marine Division Association. Bill is preceded in death by his daughter, Christine, who passed away October 20, 1985, as well as by his loving parents, William and Jacqueline Ross. He is survived by his wife, Marilyn Ross, son and daughter in law Bill and Carmen Ross, three grandchildren Sierra, Hudson, and Melia; his brother Robert Ross and niece and nephew Moira and Adam Ross; sister Sheila Ross and niece and nephew Kate and Patrick Reynolds. Bill lived by defined and profound truths. He loved his family and friends, he loved God, and he loved his country to the core. He will be greatly missed, but never forgotten. Semper Fi, Captain. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to: The Christine M. Ross Memorial Scholarship, Cathedral Catholic High School, 5555 Del Mar Heights Rd., San Diego, CA 92130. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday, December 28, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Visitation Church in Westchester, CA corner of Emerson and W. 88th Street (6561 W. 88th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90045). FitzHenry-Wiefels Mortuary, Palm Desert, (760) 568-9481.
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1941 - 2017 (76 years)
