William Darell Pross, 86
William Darell Pross, 86, "went home to be with His Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" after passing away on Jan. 1, 2007, at Brendan House in Kalispell. He was born in Rudd, Iowa, on Oct. 17, 1920, to William Fred and Myrtle (Femrite) Pross.
He graduated from Rudd High School in 1938 and went to Louisiana State University on a baseball scholarship. After two years there and working for one more year he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and served for three years before being honorably discharged in 1945. During that time he served as a radio operator and gunner on the "Tiger Girl" B-17 Flying Fortress and completed 25 successful bombing missions over Germany from his home base in England.
Before going overseas he married Sylvia Petersen in Chicago on New Years Eve, 1942. They were married for 60 years and had two sons.
Darell then began a 55-year career in the interstate trucking industry. He started as co-owner of Pross Truck Lines in Mason City, Iowa, with his brother Irving for 10 years; then worked 30 years with Campbell "66" Express in Memphis, Tenn., Blytheville, Ark., New Orleans, and Gulfport, Miss., as safety supervisor and terminal manager. The last 16 years he was a consultant with Fayard Fast Freight in Gulfport. He was once named Businessman of the Year in New Orleans and was a past president of The New Orleans Motor Carrier Association.
Darell was an avid golfer all of his life, a proud member of Diamondhead Country Club for 30 years, and of the VFW. He was a charter member of the Diamondhead Community Church. He loved following his alma mater, Louisiana State University, in all sports and was one of the faithful, original New Orleans Saints fans.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Sylvia; one son, Terry; both of his parents, Bill and Myrtle; his brother, Irving; and one sister, Lola.
He is survived by his son, Ron Pross and his wife Marce, of Kalispell; daughter-in-law, Anitta, of Birmingham, Ala.; his sister, Mary Anne Shepard, of Springfield, Mo.; three grandchildren, Scott of Tucson, Ariz., Taylor and Ryan of Birmingham, Ala.; and two stepgrandchildren, Angie of Kalispell, and Suzette of Tucson; three great-grandchildren and five stepgreat- grandchildren.
No local services will be held in Kalispell. Burial will be at the Spring Grove Cemetery, Rudd, Iowa, later this year.
In lieu of flowers donations to the Diamondhead Fire Department, Diamondhead Miss., would be appreciated.
Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for the family.