William Edward Ross, Jr.

William Edward Ross Jr.  was born in Jacksonville, Florida on December 18, 1940 and died surrounded by family and longtime friends in Manhattan on September 21, 2026, at 85 years old. He was devoted to Dariusz, his life partner, and together they carved out life until his end. He loved his life in “his room”, a small studio in Chelsea, where he resided for 40 years. 

He was called Billy as a boy in Florida, and was active in clubs at Jacksonville’s Robert E. Lee High School, where he graduated in 1958. He stayed connected to friends he made there throughout his life. He married his high school sweetheart, Carol Tucker, and soon was called Dad by two little girls; Margaret and Eleanor. In 1980, he took on a new name, Pere, as he welcomed five grandchildren into the world: Melody, Jennifer, Ross, Eva, and William “Billy”; and later six great-grandchildren: Jadyn, Henry, Mavrick, Theodore, Parker, Sophia.

Bill moved to New York City in 1983 after coming out to his family. He was an early member of the Front Runners New York and ran several marathons. He served meals to many men dying of AIDS and attended the 1986 Gay Games in San Francisco, and the 1987 March on Washington. He was an avid traveler and adventurer, traveling with family to Europe, rafting with friends through the Grand Canyon, biking in the Loire Valley and the south of France, snowboarding in Bulgaria, and making many trips to the Santa Fe Opera House. He took on a new moniker in his 70s: the “oldest snowboarder in the northeast”. He used to say that it wasn’t worth taking a trip unless it was to see family or was expected to be an adventure!

He served in the Air Force during the Cuban missile crisis.  He loved the performing arts and collaborating with Allen Hill, both on stage and in the audience. He loved musicals, plays, and opera and never missed a Tony Awards show.  He could even tap dance!  He always had an opinion and let you know it. He was known for loving a Wednesday night martini with Timothy “TJ” Storch, along with a Broadway show.

There are few people who can truly say they lived their life on their own terms, and William Edward Ross, Jr. was one of them. As Sinatra says, “I did it my way”.

Preceded in death by parents William Edward Ross Sr., Virginia May Harvey, and stepmother Margaret Helen Ross, Brother Jerry Wayne Ross. Survived by his partner Dariusz Zebrowski, daughters Margaret Alice Madsen (Larry), Eleanor Lyn Porras, five grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.

Donations to honor Bill’s life and legacy can be made to Broadway Cares, as he loved supporting the Broadway Bares production in life. https://donate.broadwaycares.org/billross

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