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Walter W. "Bill" Ross III
Walter W. "Bill" Ross III, 85, of Leawood, Kan., died Thursday, January 1, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital South, Overland Park, Kan. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bill and Marilyn Ross Literacy Scholarship Fund of Beta Sigma Phi, 1800 W. 91st Place, Kansas City, MO 64114. Born February 8, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo., Bill was the son of Walter W. Ross, Jr. and Dorothy Eagle Ross. He attended Missouri Military Academy, Southwest High School, and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. He served in the Atlantic Theatre, Mediterranean and South Pacific. Bill was named president of Walter W. Ross and Company, Inc., in 1953, and served in that capacity until 1999. At the time of his death he was chairman of the board of Walter W. Ross and Company, Inc. The corporation manages Beta Sigma Phi International, the world's largest non-academic Greek letter organization. He was affiliated with Girlstown U.S.A., where he served as the director of the board, KC Philharmonic Orchestra, past president of KC OPO, member of the Atonement Lutheran Church, Blue Lodge member of Mason, served as national director of Cerebral Palsy and past president of Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. Bill married Mary Kay Ready in November of 1945. She preceded him in death in February of 1987. Their son, Walter W. Ross, IV (Bucky), preceded him in death in March of 1992. In May of 1990, Bill married Marilyn Job Wegner, who survives him along with his daughters Linda Ross Costa (Gayton) of Kona, Hawaii, and Judy Ross of San Jose, Calif.; his stepson Ted Wegner of Kansas City, Mo.; his stepdaughter Gretchen Lynch (Jason) of Denver, Colo.; his step granddaughter Ava Lynch; his brother John J. (Jack) Ross and family of Kansas City, Mo., and a worldwide circle of friends. Arrangements are by the McGilley State Line Chapel, (816) 942-9180.