William Gross

WILLIAM GROSS was born on October 23, 1923 at 909 Warner Street in South Baltimore, Maryland. He was the eleventh of twelve children born to the late Mr. Hezekiah and Sister Ann Muriel (Johnson) Gross. William Gross departed this life at 2:30 AM on Wednesday, December 7, 2016 at Manor Care Roland Park Rehabilitation Center on Falls Rd. in Baltimore, MD. at the golden age of 93. William was preceded in death by his devoted wife, Mother Consuella Gross on August 17, 2016, his son William Eugene Gross "Butch", one great-grandson, Zaire S. Gross-Burrill, one step-daughter, Shiela C. Kearney, one step-son, Stanley Johnson, and all of his eleven siblings, Nathaniel, Wilbur, Ann Eleanor, Hezekiah Jr., Katherine, Virginia, Olivia, Elizabeth, Reynold, Guy and Alma, which they all loved William very much. William Gross attended Baltimore City Public Schools. As a young man William loved watching and playing baseball. He played for a South Baltimore team called The Dixie Bells, and as a teenager he played for The Toppers. He was their star short-stop and played very well. Later on in his life, he went to work as a newspaper salesman. Into his adulthood he met and married Viola Walker, and on February 19, 1943 they had their first son, William Eugene Gross. On May 17, 1943, William enlisted in the U.S Army, serving in World War II. He was honorably discharged on December 24, 1947. In 1958 William began his career at Maryland Cup corporation, where he later met the love of his life Consuella Dabbs and soon after, they were married on August 21, 1961. William and Consuella Gross were a loving couple, inseparable and dedicated to helping one another, the love they shared was one of a kind. William Gross was known to many as "Uncle Witts" or "Mr. Witts" because he was both smart and witty, some called him "Mr. Stick" because of all his unique canes, "Honey" because he was a loving husband, "Dad" because he was a great father and "PopPop" because he was a wonderful grandfather. William loved children, he spent a lot of time with all his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews, whether it was just sneaking them that extra piece of candy or playing games and watching TV, the children absolutely adored him. He loved spending quality time with his loving wife Consuella, whether going out to dinner or staying in for home cooked meals, family was very important to him. William also had many other pastimes such as, hosting card night with friends, playing the lottery and scratch offs. He especially loved going to Pimlico Race track to wager on the horse races. Preakness was his favorite Horse race event. He also loved watching the Baltimore Orioles and Baltimore Ravens play. Full of Purpose, Love, Witt and Life, William Gross will truly be missed until we meet again. He leaves to cherish his memory: one step-daughter, Saundra Blanchard, (husband, John); one daughter-in-law, Brenda Gross (widow of deceased son William E Gross); four granddaughters, Nicole Gross, Darnay Simms, Shiela Hanson and Christina Lane (husband, James); step-granddaughter, Towanda Kearney; one grandson, Stanley E. Johnson, (wife, Sylvia); four great-grandsons, Tony Simms, Kai Simms, James W. Lane Jr., and Stanley L. Johnson; three great-granddaughters, Shayla J. Johnson, Jimajha C. Lane, and Chaunna M. Lane; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

Tributes

William Gross

October 23, 1923 - December 7, 2016