William O. Ross
CM/Sgt Retired U.S. Air Force
Augusta, GA – William O. Ross, 97, Martinez, GA entered into rest Monday, December 12, 2011 at the VA Hospital. Bill was the husband of the late Angie Ross.
Mr. Ross served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Wisconsin for three years during WWII (1945-1948) and served in the Army Air Crops and US Air Force for 23 years before retiring as an E-9 in1968. He served as a Civil Servant with the US Navy at Subic Bay, Philippines from May 1969 to March 1977, with the US Army at Ft. Gordon from October 1977 to January 1981 and the US Army at Mannheim, Germany from January 1981 to October 1990.
His duties included Community and Family Activities as NCOIC for the US Air Force and was Director of Recreation for the US Navy/US Army. He was a National Official in Football and Basketball and served as the IAABO National Basketball referee at the World Championship in Santiago, Chile 1959. He was the US Air Force boxing coach for 20 years, Inter-Service boxing coach 1962-1970, selected as the US Olympic coach 1964 and US Army Civil Service boxing coach for 20 years.
He received the Medal of Occupation Japan 1945, Korean War Medal, Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, AF Commendation Medal w/OLC and Commanders Award for Civil Service (5 years).
He was a loving and giving father, father-in-law, grandfather, and great grandfather. Mr. Ross is survived by his daughter: Sandie (Jim) Ball from Martinez, GA, grandsons: Guy Ball (Tina) from Newnan, GA and Cameron (Christy) Ball from Appling, GA and great-grandchildren Ross, Kyle, Scott, Nicole and Troy Ball.
The family would like to thank Marty McCray and a host of his caregivers for their love and support over the past 9 years.
A private family service will be held at 3:00 P.M. on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at Bellevue Memorial Gardens with full military honors.
Memorials may be made to the Augusta Alzheimer’s Association, 1899 Central Avenue, Augusta, GA 30904, on behalf of his wife of 70 years Angie Ross.
Thomas Poteet & Son Funeral Directors, 214 Davis Rd., Augusta, GA 30907 (706) 364-8484. Please sign the guestbook at www.thomaspoteet.com