William "Bill" Floyd Cross, 81, of Fort Collins, CO, passed away on Friday, March 31st, 2023 of natural causes in the comfort of his own home.
Bill was born on August 7th, 1941 to Floyd and Vivian Cross in St. Louis, Missouri. After Bill graduated from San Fernando High School in 1959 he joined the U.S Navy and became a Radioman Third Class for three years before working for and retiring from General Motors in Service Parts Operations.
After leaving the U.S. Navy Bill met the love of his life, Betsy, in 1962 in San Fernando, California. They were married in 1963 and shared almost 60 wonderful years together. They raised their two children, Debra "Debbie" Ann, and William Jeffrey "Jeff" Cross in southern California.
Bill enjoyed spending his time bowling in leagues with his wife and friends, teaching his son how to hunt and spending time obsessing over cars with his daughter.
In 1994 Bill and Betsy relocated to Rockaway Beach, Oregon where Bill was a loved and cherished school bus driver for Neah-Kah-Nie School District for many years. He particularly enjoyed having the opportunity to raise his first Grandson, Taren Keesey and watch him follow in his footsteps.
Bill was predeceased by his father, Floyd Cross, his mother Vivian Cross, his mother-in-law Margaret Wilson, his father-in-law Harold Hoy, his sister Carol Emiterial and his great-grandson, Wyatt Ford. He is survived by his wife Betsy Cross, his children, Debbie Cross-Keagy and Jeff Cross and his partner Jeannine Allen, along with his grandchildren Kayla Pierpont, Taren Keesey and his wife Kendra Keesey, Jessika Cross-Miller and her husband Austin Miller, Katrina DeLoach and her husband Erron DeLoach, Seth Cross, and Kory Keagy. His Legacy will live on in his great grandchildren Taren Keesey Jr., Weston Keesey, Hayden Pierpont, and Bentleigh Pierpont.
Bill remains loved by many, and the positive impact he had on all that knew him lives on. He was always so selfless and put others before himself. His family will miss his infectious smile and ability to make everyone laugh, up until the very end.
Bill will be buried with full military honors at Fort Logan National Cemetery in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, April 5th, 2023 surrounded by his loved ones. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Diabetes Association or the National Kidney Foundation in Bill's name.