William Joseph Gross

1960 - 2025

William Joseph Gross

October 24, 1960 - November 15, 2025

William Joseph Gross, lovingly known as our brother and Uncle Bill, passed away on November 15, 2025, in Kingwood, Texas at the age of 65. Born to Adam and Elsie (Wald) Gross on October 24,1960, he was the fourth child out of six siblings, three girls and three boys.

Bill grew up on the Butte hill where he formed a deep connection to his Montana roots. As a youngster, you would often find Bill and his siblings playing outdoor games with their neighborhood friends behind St. Mary's Church, where Bill also served as an altar boy. In his early years, he started work as a farmhand for his aunt and uncle in North Dakota and then worked as a paper boy for the Montana Standard. He graduated from Butte Central High School in 1978 and attended Montana Tech for a short time before moving to Arizona. While attending DeVry Institute of Technology in Phoenix, Bill worked at a gas station where his employer considered him a son and tried to talk him in to taking over their family business. However, Bill had his own plan and after graduating from DeVry, he moved to Houston, Texas where he began a long, successful career in the petrochemical industry.

Bill's work as an analyzer specialist took him around the world allowing him to experience new cultures, where he developed an appreciation and love for fine food and art. He was a life-long Minnesota Vikings fan and lived a quiet, simple life. Bill enjoyed day-trading, following current events, and offering unsolicited (yet often remarkably accurate) financial advice to anyone who would listen, especially his nieces and nephews. Bill could talk about the Stock Market and where to invest for hours. He was very meticulous with everything he did.

Bill recently retired earlier this year from his career in Baytown, Texas where he worked for Valmet (formally Siemens). He was respected for his expertise and dedication and was referred to as "Papa Bill" by his younger colleagues.

Bill longed for good health and looked forward to returning home to Montana where he could finally relax and enjoy his dream home on Flathead Lake, but God had other plans. To honor his parents, he recently purchased the family home in Butte and had intentions to renovate it for all to enjoy.

Bill was greeted in heaven by his parents, his brothers-in-law Ken Schweigert and Tim Nugent, nephews Robert Schweigert and Jacob Gross along with numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Surviving relatives include his siblings, Nancy Schweigert, Kathy Nugent, Tom (Laurie) Gross, Shirley (Tom) Kavran, and Jim (Susie) Gross; nieces and nephews, Chris (Mary) Schweigert, Sean (Rochelle) Schweigert, Jennifer Schweigert, Cheryl (John) Doyle, Mark Nugent, Brandon (Hilary) Gross, Ryan Gross, Cassandra (Shawn) Griffith, Tommy (Jo) Kavran, Kim (James) Adamo, and Wyatt Gross; great-nieces and nephews, include Sydney, Riley, Bradey and Colbey Doyle, Piper and Paige Schweigert, Reese and Luke Griffith, Lola and Indy Kavran, and Brecken and Lennon Adamo. Bill is also survived by an uncle, numerous aunts, cousins, friends, and his feathered friend, Popcorn.

Funeral Mass was celebrated on November 25, 2025 in St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Rite of Committal followed in the Mausoleum at Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery. Memorial contributions can be made to a charity of the donor's choice.

Bill was a quiet, private man who most definitely lived a simple life. Oh, how we wish he could have fulfilled his dream of returning home. Bill's presence and steady wisdom will be deeply missed, but his spirit will live on in the many lives he touched.

Fly high Brother Bill. You will forever be in our hearts. We love you very much! Until we meet again…All Our Love, Your Family.