Bill Ross

William John Ross "Bill", peacefully passed away on March 12, 2026, at Park View Home in Woodville, WI at the age of 72. Born on January 19, 1954, in New Richmond, Wisconsin to parents James and Lucy “Lorraine” Ross. He graduated from Glenwood City High School in 1972.

Bill dedicated many years of his life to the trucking and machining industries. In his younger years he hauled milk for Rusty Ferguson and The Winegar’s in Clear Lake. Bill hauled freight for Erickson’s Grocery in River Falls where he proudly drove a red white and blue cab over semi. Over the years he also hauled for Convenience Transport “Kwik Trip” and All Ways Transport in Bloomer. In addition to his full-time career, he enjoyed a memorable stint as a bartender in Emerald at Goossens’ Roost, forming lasting friendships and creating countless cherished memories. Bill attended WITC New Richmond and graduated with a Machinist degree in 1990. A few of his Machinist jobs were at Doboy in New Richmond, OEM in Woodville and finished his career in Chippewa Falls at Wisconsin Metal Fab in 2016. He created and fabricated his own versions of intricate tools and built a kayak wagon to haul behind a pedal bike for his daughter Marissa.

An avid motorcycle enthusiast, Bill found joy and freedom in riding Harley Davidson Motorcycles. He loved the open road traveling with his buddies across the Country. They mostly toured the Western half of the USA. His adventurous spirit inspired those who knew him.

Bill lived in Menomonie and created a beautiful oasis of a backyard. He loved watching and feeding the squirrels and deer, trips down to the creek exploring with his children and grandchildren. He tended to beautiful Iris, Lily and other various flower gardens. He had a vegetable garden, a horseradish plant and dabbled in canning with his best friend Tiny. He was a great cook and made amazing chocolate chip cookies. Bill was a collector of train engines and cars that he purchased from train shows and shops. He had an amazing track set up in his basement full of many kinds of trains. He loved creating accessories for the train set-up and showed it off to anyone who had time to see it.

Bill is survived by his children Brandi (David) Caress, Bridget (Nick) Curvello, Bill Ross, Blake Ross, Marissa (Hope) Savaria; grandchildren Brooklyn, Madison and Harper Caress, Allison, Austin, Aubrey and Alexys Curvello, Alexander, Gabriella and Finnegan Ross, Lawrence “Renny” and Theodore “Jory” Savaria; great granddaughter Emberlee Curvello and a special family friend Jasmine Johnson; siblings Patrick Crimmings (Thomas Wilson), Thomas (MaryAnn) Ross, Robert (Susan) Ross, Jean Rose, Joan Ross, Judith (John) Ganong, James (Terri) Ross, and Lori Cress, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents James and Lucy “Lorraine” Ross, and brother in laws Robert Rose and Dennis Cress.

Visitation will be held from 4-7 PM on Friday, March 27, 2026 at O’Connell Family Funeral Home in Baldwin, WI. A funeral service will be held the following day on Saturday, March 28, 2026, at 11 AM at O'Connell Family Funeral Home, with an hour of visitation prior to the service. Burial will be in St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Glenwood City. A reception will follow at the Glenwood City Community center at 1:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the family.