Reverend William Bruce Ross

Reverend William Bruce Ross, died February 27, 2015 in Oklahoma City. Father Ross was born on September 2, 1927 in Chickasha, Oklahoma, the fifth of seven children born to Henry Clay and Marie Angela (Decker) Ross. He was ordained to the priesthood on May 1, 1954 at Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa, Oklahoma. Father Ross attended St. Joseph's Academy, Chickasha; St. Benedict College, Atchison, Kansas (BA Philosophy); Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C. (STL) and the University of San Francisco. During his more than sixty years of faithful and caring ministry to the people of Oklahoma he served as Associate Pastor of Christ the King Church, Tulsa; Pastor of Saint Thomas More University Church, Norman; Pastor of Sacred Heart, Oklahoma City; Co-pastor of St. Charles Borromeo, Oklahoma City; Director of the Office of Family Life and Pastor of Our Lady of Victory, Purcell, where he retired in 2003. Since his "retirement," he has served as Assistant Pastor of Saint Eugene Church, Oklahoma City. Father Ross also led or served in many Archdiocesan offices, boards and councils, including: the Catholic Information Center, the Council of Priests, the Archdiocesan Personnel Board, and as a Regional Vicar. At the time of his death he was a member of the Archdiocesan Review Board and the Archdiocesan Pastoral Response Team. Father Ross served in the United States Navy and later in the United States Air Force. He was a Reserve Chaplain, Lt. Colonel, for the Oklahoma Air National Guard. Father Ross was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Joseph R. Ross, and the Reverend James Ross and his sisters Mary Ann Doak and Janet Volzer. He is survived by his brother Walter Ross of El Reno and sister Helen Von Feldt, of Philadelphia, PA; by many adoring nieces, nephews, grand-and great grand-nieces and nephews; and by friends and parishioners who mourn his passing. We remember: his concern for the poor, and the poor in spirit; his love of family; and especially his life's work and belief that so much of the Gospel call to love one another is embodied in families, couples, and all people learning to listen and talk to one another. A Vigil service will be held at 6:30 pm on Tuesday evening, March 3, 2015 at Saint Eugene Church, 2400 W. Hefner Road, Oklahoma City. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Eugene on Wednesday, March 4, 2015 at 11:00 AM with interment at Resurrection Memorial Cemetery, 7801 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City immediately following. Memorials may be made to Catholic Charities or the Fund for a new Rectory at Saint Eugene.