William R. Gross, 75 of Jefferson, passed away on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the Rainbow Hospice Inpatient Center in Johnson Creek.

Bill was born on August 7, 1950, in Watertown, WI, the son of Robert and Doris (Husted) Gross.  He graduated from Jefferson High School, Class of 1969, and met Cheryl Verg while socializing in 1973.  Bill knew that Cheryl was “the one” the day they met, and the couple was married at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church on September 7, 1974.  The couple enjoyed 50 years of marriage and had 2 daughters.  He proudly served his country in the US Army and was stationed in Germany.   Bill and Cheryl loved to travel.  They took many road trips and tent camping trips when their daughters were young and enjoyed their permanent camper at Blackhawk Campground in Milton. In recent years, trips to Mexico or Jamaica happened most January’s.  Bill was employed McCain Foods in Fort Atkinson for 36 years and served with the Jefferson Fire Department for 31 years and was always willing to help where he could. He was a happy, outgoing, people-person with a soft heart, who cared for others deeply.  He was generous with his time and talents, and liked his stuff well kept.  Whether it was his car or yard, it was maintained meticulously.  He will be remembered for his outgoing and loving personality and his devotion to the people he loved.

Bill is survived by: his wife Cheryl Gross of Jefferson; daughters Carmen (Jason) Seeber of Jefferson and Kimberly (Ethan) Grimes of Fort Atkinson; grandchildren Jesse (Lindsay), Carson (Alyssa), and Myles; sister Susan Nicely of Tulsa, OK; nephews and niece Chad (Amy) Gross and Brad (Cara) Mueller, Brenda (Damon) Randall.  Bill is also survived by other family members and friends, and his cat Ollie.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, brothers James, Michael, and Gerald Gross, nephew Nathan Gross, and other family members.

Memorials in Bill’s honor to the Jefferson County Humane Society would be appreciated.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 12:00 PM on Friday, August 29, 2025, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Jefferson with Msgr. Donn Heiar presiding.  Visitation will be on Friday from 10:00 AM until the Mass at the church.  Military honors and burial will be at Rock River Cemetery in Jefferson following the mass.