Bill R. Gross

Billie Ray “Bill” Gross, age 74, of Eaton, OH, died on Monday, January 8, 2018 at Kettering Health-Preble County Campus in Eaton, OH. He was born on August 26, 1943 in Whitley County, Kentucky, son of the late France & Alberta (Stewart) Gross.  Bill was retired from United/Sprint Telephone in Eaton, where he worked for 37 years and was a Vietnam veteran in the United States Marine Corp. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 8066 and the American Legion Post 215 both in Eaton. Bill loved to garden, play cards and spend time with family, friends and his beloved dogs.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers, Lee Junior, Ronald Jasper, and Maynard Gross; sisters, Elizabeth Gross, Francis Gross and Frankie Berry.

Bill is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janet C. (Fester) Gross; daughter, Melissa Shaw; son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Amy Pugh; sisters, Myrtle Greer, Julidta Hauser and Charlene Clark; grandchildren, Robert, Kaitlynn and Jordan Pugh and Mikayla Shaw; nieces and nephews and very good friend, John “Grumpy” Lewis.

A celebration of Bill’s life will be held on Sunday, January 21, 2018 at 4:00 p.m. at Barnes Funeral Home, 220 East Main St., Eaton, OH with Melissa Shaw presiding and military honors presented by the Preble County Honor Guard. The family will receive friends from 2:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M. on Sunday at funeral home. Memorial Contributions may be made to the Kettering Foundation for Cancer Research, 3700 Southern Blvd, Kettering, OH 45429. Condolences may be sent via www.barnesfuneralhome.com