Date of death: 6/5/2025
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1969
Bill Gross, beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, passed away peacefully at home a month shy of his 82nd birthday. Bill was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and was raised by his parents, Caroline and Mark, along with his five younger siblings, in Indianapolis, where he learned to love the Indianapolis 500, the Chicago Cubs, and all things trains.
Bill received his BA from St. Louis University and his J.D. from the University of Michigan. In 1968, he and his then-wife, Joan, moved to Portland, OR, where they raised their three sons, and Bill began his law practice and served in the US Army Reserve. Bill was deeply engaged in his sons’ youthful endeavors, including coaching their soccer and little league teams, and supporting their passions for theater, travel, and competitive cycling. The family spent many happy weeks at Black Butte Ranch in Central Oregon, where they shared a vacation home with three other families.
Bill was a well-respected member of the Portland legal community for over 40 years, spending his last ten years before retirement as a mediator and arbitrator. He moved to Vancouver, WA in 2004, when he married Marjorie Speirs. Bill and Marjorie enjoyed trips to the U.K, Paris, and Hawaii, as well as visits with family in various parts of the U.S. Most of all, they loved being at home together, working in their garden, reading, doing puzzles, and spending time with family (especially grandchildren).
Bill was incredibly passionate about social justice and was well known for his leadership and deep engagement in his community. He was active in PFLAG and the NAACP until the pandemic and his cancer diagnosis slowed him down. He generously supported many human rights organizations.
Bill is survived by Marjorie and his sons Andrew (Sarah), Doug (Kelly Prothero), and Marty, and their mother, Joan, along with Marjorie’s daughters Anne Zander (Peter Robertshaw), Mara Rife (Jake), and grandchildren Joseph (Elise), Tobias, Lulu, Avery, Paige, Daisy, Frank, Charlotte, and Frances, and his siblings Beth (Jim), Tom (Vicki), Margie, Pete (Betsy), along with many wonderful nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Jim.
Bill will be remembered for his quiet presence, kindness, thoughtfulness, generosity, acceptance of everyone, and love of family and friends.