William L. “Bill” Gross, 89, formerly of Arnold, died Dec. 4, 2022, in Bridgeton. Mr. Gross retired from Dohrn Transfer as a dock worker and went on to start his own exterminating business, Gross for Pest Control. He loved to educate everyone about bugs and how to prevent them. He was a Korean War veteran of the U.S. Army and loved to tell stories about his years in the military. He was a longtime member of First Baptist Church of Arnold whose mission in life was to preach the gospel. He frequently carried a small, hand-rolled paper containing the Bible verse John 3:16 which he handed out to people. In recent months, he could be found at the Bridgeton Recreation Center walking with his big walker and greeting everyone who walked in the door.
He is survived by his wife: Marie (Smith) Gross; four children: Cindy (the late John) Lay, Sandy (Rick) Crane, Randy Gross and Nathan Gross; two grandchildren: Jennifer (Cory) Lipscomb and Eric Crane; two great-grandchildren: Carter Lipscomb and Zach (Josh) Crane; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents: Robert and Eleanor (Eschenbach) Gross; his former wife and friend: Leavean “Lea” (Barton) Gross; three brothers: Robert, Donald and Raymond Gross; and two sisters: Rosemary Kennedy and Dorothy Mann.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 20, at Alexander White Mullen Funeral Home, 11101 St. Charles Rock Road, in St. Ann. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 21, at the funeral home. A committal service will be follow at 12:30 p.m. in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Bridgeton Senior Services. Arrangements are under the direction of Alexander White Mullen Funeral Home.