Billy Gross

Obituaries

Tuesday, 28 June 2022 11:12

Mr. Billy P. Gross, 92 of Scottsboro, passed away on Thursday, June 23, 2022. Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 26, 2022 at Scottsboro Funeral Home with Dr. Joey Karr officiating. Burial followed at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Bill was a lifelong resident of Scottsboro and the son of James Polk and Bertie Gross. He graduated from Jackson County High in 1948. After graduation, he attended Snead State College and went to work for the railroad in Birmingham, later marrying Barbara Kent in 1955. They were together for 66 years until her passing in 2022.

At the time of the Korean War, he was commissioned to serve as a Secretary with the Company B 151st Engineering Battalion with whom he remained in close contact throughout the years. He was also Captain and commanding officer of the Company D 103rd Infantry Battalion of the Alabama State Defense Force. In 1954 he joined W.J. Word Lumber Company as a floor clerk and later went on to become General Manager. He retired in 2005 after serving there for 51 years.

In 1998, Bill was named Jackson County Citizen of the Year. He was an active member of the American Legion, VFW and was a proud veteran. He also served in the Scottsboro Lions where he was named Lion of the Year in 1997 and also received the Fellow award, that is the highest honor given, and was made an Honorary Lifetime member of the Lions. He was also a member of Randall’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

He is survived by his son, Jim (Sherry) Gross; daughter, Denise Gothard; grandson, Kent Gross; granddaughters, Tisha Gross, Chynna Gross, Morgan Gothard, Kami Gothard; step-grandchildren, Lonnie (Holly) Gothard, Jessica (Ricky) Talkington, Season (Lee) McKelvey; nine great-grandchildren; sisters, Evelyn Smith, Jean Hale, Nina Brandon; brother, Robert Gross; brother-in-law, Jimmy (Jean) Kent.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Ronnie Gothard; brother, Raymond Gross; brothers-in-law, Don Smith, Jimmy Hale, Billy Brandon; sisters-in-law, Bettye Gross, Ann Gross.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Randall’s Chapel United Methodist Church.