William "Bill" Ross

William M (Bill) Ross 70, of Des Moines Iowa died peacefully at home Friday May 24th, 2019 from cancer. His wishes were to be cremated. He was survived by his wife Carolyn Ross of 50 years; a son Howard (Wendy) Ross, daughter Tina (Mardie) Austin, granddaughter Jocie Dillinger, and three grandsons Cooper Ross, Michael (Ross) Stephens, and James Dillinger. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Laura (Ross) Dillinger, granddaughters, Kathern Harper and Angelica Ross, his parents, Howard and Iva Ross and all his siblings too many to mention. It is with great sadness that I lost the love of my life whom we shared 50 beautiful years together. Bill Ross lost the battle of cancer on Friday morning May 24th who went peacefully at home with his loved ones. Bill was a very proud man who lived a very simple life who was loved and liked by great friends and a loving family. He lived a very simple life and he wanted to leave this world the same way. He didn’t want people to fuss over him with a viewing or fancy funeral, instead we will have a celebration of life to remember the good times we spent with him and how he impacted our lives. I hope the angels came and took him straight to the arms of his daughter Laura (Ross) Dillinger and his granddaughters Katerra Harper and Angelica Ross and all his family who have resided in Heaven already. He will be cremated, and I will send an announcement in a couple of weeks of the time and place and hope to see family and friends to help us celebrate his life. He will be missed dearly, and he will always remain in my heart forever. Bill retired from EIU in June 2012. William (Bill) Ross's Celebration of Life will be held at Yellow Banks Park, Shelter (Shelter 2) at 6801 SE 32nd St, Pleasant Hill, IA on June 23rd at 1pm to 5pm. We will be having a cookout potluck (meat provided) if you have a favorite dish or desert you would like to bring it will be much appreciated. Hope to see everyone there!