In Memoriam
William L. Ross, Sr., 80
Veteran, Tinkerer, Owned B&S Inn
FLY CREEK – William L. Ross, Sr., (80) of Willow Avenue in Fly Creek died Saturday June 5, 2021 at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown.
Born March 30, 1941 in Ilion, NY Bill was the only child of William E. and Elizabeth (Houck) Ross. He graduated from Cooperstown High School in the Class of 1959 and following graduation enlisted in the US Air Force serving his country until 1963 as an aircraft mechanic. In 1966 Bill married Sheila Skubitz of Fly Creek.
Following his military service Bill worked driving trucks for Frank Trinkas of Fly Creek, then worked in manufacturing at Chicago Pneumatics in Utica, thereafter for a number of years, he was employed at Suburban Propane as a service technician and finally, he and his wife Sheila, owned and operated the B&S Inn in Oaksville for nearly 15 years.
As those who knew him can attest, Bill was an inveterate and master tinkerer, he was always busy building, creating, and repairing every sort of item- even if the object of his attention didn’t need repair or improvement. He was an expert with Duct Tape, Flex Seal and all sorts of glue and fasteners. He considered himself an aspiring inventor. He enjoyed restoring old cars, one of his favorites was his 1953 Ford Crestline convertible. He was always busy, whether he was productive or not. He loved the out-of-doors and especially loved to hunt, snowmobile, and garden. He enjoyed listening to songs sung by Elvis and Johnny Cash, and was an avid fan of all types of western movies. He enjoyed wintering in Port Orange, FL. but especially enjoyed returning home to Fly Creek in the Spring. And, above all, he was a devoted and loving grandpa to his four grandchildren.
Bill was a member of the Cooperstown American Legion Post No. 579 and the Christian Hill Snow Drifters.
Bill is survived by his wife Sheila, his son William (Tricia) Ross and their two children William and Madyson of Warnerville, NY and his daughter Sherry (Paul) Tesch and their two children Ross and Jake of Walworth, NY and his two beloved Shih Tzus, Molly and Maggie.
Calling hours, at which Covid protocols will be observed, will be held at the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, 28 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown on Wednesday June 9th from 4 to 7pm. A gathering to celebrate Bill’s life will be held at Cooley’s Stone House Tavern following the calling hours. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that donations in Bill’s memory be made to the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Co. Emergency Squad, 832 County Highway 26, Fly Creek, NY 13337 or the Cooperstown Emergency Squad, 24 Chestnut Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
