The family and friends of Willadean Ross sadly report her passing on January 4, 2021, of natural causes after living a full and adventurous life.
She is preceded by her parents, James and Drexel Turner (Kirk) and sister Beverly Heffelfinger. She is survived by her husband Elmer Ray Ross, Jr., of Seattle; son Steve Ross ( Mary) of May Valley, California; daughter Laura Remme ( Lan) of Seattle; grandchildren, Rebecca, Eric, Miles, Daniel, and Gabe.
Willie was born on April 4, 1927, in Hartford City, Indiana, the county seat of Blackford, a thriving agricultural community. The untimely loss of her Mother to tuberculosis when she was 12 strengthened and defined her lifetime passion and commitment to family relations.
Her adventurousness started at an early age. She and a group of her young women friends rode the train to Louisville, Kentucky to attend the Kentucky Derby and enjoy a mint julep while they watched “The Run for the Roses”.
While still in her twenties, she moved to Detroit, Michigan where she worked as an airline reservations agent, a position which provided opportunities for travel. At this time, she met the love of her life, ( Elmer) Ray Ross, an engineering student at Wayne State University. The two were wed on June 19, 1954, and settled in the Detroit area where Ray began his career and their two children, Steve and Laura, were born.
The family relocated to Washington state. Here Ray first worked for Boeing and later for the U. S. Government HUD as a Civil Engineer. Willie concentrated on raising their children during this time although she worked occasionally at a variety of jobs.
Willie was totally dedicated to her children and later, her grandchildren. She saw that they had every opportunity for exposure to lessons, music, swimming, skiing, horseback riding, and family vacations including a trip to Europe, camping, and trips back east to visit relatives.
Her grandchildren recall that she never missed attending one of their events whether it was for school or extracurricular, she would be in the audience, encouraging them and supporting them in everything they did.
She loved family gatherings and often went out of her way to organize family celebrations for birthdays and holidays.
Her hobbies included sewing, cooking, and gardening. She was also very skilled at remodeling and counted upholstery, painting, and wallpapering among her skill sets. And she loved animals and readily bonded with family pets, especially dogs.
She was very proud and independent and even in later years preferred to be self-reliant in every way possible.
We remember the cheerfulness, charming smile and laughter that she maintained throughout her life. She will be missed by all.
Due to restrictions of the pandemic a public memorial service will not be held at this time.
DONATIONS
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18