William S. Gross Jr.

William S. Gross, Jr., a cherished family man, respected veteran, and dedicated professional, passed away peacefully at his home on November 20, 2025, at the age of 87. Born on July 8, 1938, in Benfer, PA, he was the son of the late William S. Gross, Sr. and Roma (Zimmerman) Gross. William lived a life defined by strong values, a tireless work ethic, and deep devotion to his family.
William's greatest joy was his family. He is survived by his beloved wife, Shirley (Aikens) Gross, and their children, Judy A. Seymour and her husband David, John W. Rice, Jr. and his wife Deborah, and Stacey L. Chunko and her husband Mark. He was a proud grandfather to Brandon, Barry, and Tommy, and a great-grandfather to Logan, Alexa, and Tommy. William is remembered by his siblings Lena Weigel, Margaret Steimling, Sara Harner, Robert Gross and his wife Teresa, and Bonnie Kuhns and her husband Greg. He was preceded in death by his siblings Richard Gross, Edna Defranko, and Patricia Troutman.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, William's service instilled in him a lifelong sense of duty and honor. After his military career, he joined Olivetti, where he worked as a Quality Assurance Manager for over 41 years, earning the respect of colleagues and friends alike. Even after retirement, William remained active in his community, working as a front desk attendant at Brown Daub Kia and staying engaged in the lives of those around him.
William's life was enriched by creativity, faith, and a warm love for people. Earlier in life, he enjoyed the camaraderie of a bowling league that he and Shirley were a part of.
He also had a passion for flowers, gardening, and arranging beautiful bouquets, taking great pride in creating and tending to the space he lovingly cultivated at home. His artistic side also flourished in ceramics, a hobby he truly enjoyed. William was outgoing and a true people person-someone who could make anyone feel welcomed and valued. He also shared a special bond with his beloved dogs, Peanut and ChiChi, who brought him constant comfort and joy.
A faithful member of Covenant United Methodist Church, William dedicated his time and energy to supporting others and living his values through service and kindness.
William's legacy is one of love, dedication, and genuine connection. He will be remembered fondly by all who knew him, and his influence will continue to be felt through his family, friends, and community.
Services: A Memorial Service will be held at 2 P.M. on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at the Cantelmi Long Funeral Home, 500 Linden Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018, with visitation for relatives and friends from 1 P.M. until the service. A memory tribute may be placed at www.cantelmifuneralhome.com.
Contributions: In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the American Heart Association of the Lehigh Valley, 4217 Park Place Court, Glen Allen, VA 23060, or to the American Cancer Society, 1818 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19103.