William J. "Bill" Gross

William "Bill" J. Gross, 90, Rockford, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Fairhaven Christian Retirement Center. He was born May 26, 1932, in Chicago, the son of William E. and Marie (Simanek) Gross. Bill served 2 years in the Army from September 1955 to September 1957. He was a graduate of Purdue University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree. Bill married Louise Lentz in Cicero on June 5, 1954. She passed away on February 22, 2017. Bill started his career at Sundstrand Aviation as a mechanical engineer and progressed to a Director of Materials level in the organization before retiring after 33 years. He continued to consult for local manufacturers a decade after his retirement. He was a member of Third Presbyterian Church and was active in Ostende, Ducks Unlimited and the Ridges Sanctuary and Friends of Whitefish Dunes in Door County where he enjoyed his summer home. Bill was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed golfing, fishing, trap shooting and hunting with his faithful Viszla companions Rebel, Joey and Radar.
Survived by his children, Catherine (Ronald) Pieper of Rockford, Patricia (Darwin) Lawson of Darlington, WI and Susan (Paul) Muraski of Roscoe; his grandchildren, Timothy (Tori) Pieper, Samantha (Patrick) Rehkamp, Amanda (Aaron) Geffre, Christopher (Lauren) Pieper, Daniel (Emma) Lawson, Thomas (Tanya) Lawson and Alexandria Muraski; his great-grandchildren, Bryce and Nolan Pieper, Charlotte Rehkamp, Bruce and Joan Geffre, Aurora and Henry Pieper, Lucy Lawson and Theodore Lawson. Predeceased by his wife Louise and his parents.
A Memorial Service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 21, 2023 at Fitzgerald Funeral Home and Crematory, Mulford Chapel, 1860 S. Mulford Rd. with Reverend Dr. Murray Hanson officiating. Visitation will be from 9:30 A.M. until time of service on Saturday. Burial in Willwood Burial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Friends of Whitefish Dunes State Park 3275 Clark Lake Rd. Sturgeon Bay, WI 54235 or to The Ridges Sanctuary, P.O. Box 152, Baileys Harbor, WI 54202. Share online condolences at www.fitzgeraldfh.com.