William Gross

William Gross, Jr.

Bill Gross (Oct. 22, 1925 – Jul. 20, 2022) . . . the son of an immigrant carpenter, a child of the Depression, and a member of The Greatest Generation.

As a teenage soldier, Bill fought in the European theater during WWII, including the decisive Battle of the Bulge until VE day, May 1945. On returning to the States, Sargent William Gross was debriefed in Washington, DC, where he met his lifelong love, Jean Gill, to whom he was married for 75 years.

Bill graduated from George Washington University, attending on the G.I. Bill. He and Jean raised 5 children in Falls Church, VA before he received a work transfer to San Francisco in 1974.

Bill received awards for his ability to manage people and was well known for treating people equitably. He was an honest and faithful man. He loved God. As a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bill dished out ice cream sundaes to school children and pancakes to parishioners at Our Lady of Loretto Catholic Church in Novato, CA for more than 40 years, and helped award scholarships to both meritorious and needy students. Bill was involved in the Cursillo movement, which served to deepen his own Christian faith in community with others.

Bill is the son of the late William and Victoria Gross. He survived his beloved youngest daughter, Sharon. And he is survived by his wife, Jean, children Jan, Gail, Susan and John, as well as 12 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

If desired, a contribution may be made to Our Lady of Loretto School, Attn: Jean & Bill Gross Scholarship Fund, 1811 Virginia Ave, Novato CA 94945.

Freinds are invited to the visitation after 10am, the Rosary at 10:30am and the funeral mass at 11:00 am, Wednesday, July 27, 2022 at Our Lady of Loretto Church, 1806 Novato Blvd. Novato. Interment with military honors will be held at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.