Bill began his inspiring life-journey on January 21, 1947. His unmatched work-ethic was learned on the family farm, he graduated from Garden City High School in 1965, and married the love of his life on June 17, 1967. Bill and Elaine grew up 1/2 mile down the dirt-road from each other in Friend, KS. Elaine first fell in love with his horse, Buck, but quickly was smitten by the tall, dark and handsome cowboy! Bill and Elaine moved to Manhattan, KS where Bill attended Kansas State University and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture in 1970, Agriculture Education in 1971 and his Master’s in Agriculture Education in 1973. Bill spent two years at KSU in ROTC and then attended US Army Basic Training at Fort Ord, CA with a total of 6 years serving in the United States military.

While a KSU student, Bill began his illustrious flight career as a student pilot in 1968, earning his Certified Flight Instructor rating in 1970 and working as a CFI for Capital Air. Bill taught Agriculture Education at Riley County High School 1972-1973. From 1973-1986 he worked for Farmland Industries in Animal Feed and Vet Supply Sales, getting acquainted with many small towns in the state of Kansas. Bill and Elaine welcomed their children, Mikala in 1975 and Guy in 1976. In 1979, Bill became a Designated Flight Examiner and spent many nights and weekends facilitating countless check-rides for years to come. He was an Insurance Sales rep for Farm Bureau 1986-1988. Bill became the Chief Flight Instructor at Kansas Technical Institute in 1987. In 1991, KTI merged with Kansas State University College of Technology & Aviation where Bill remained Chief Pilot and Professor for over 30 years, leading and impacting the lives of thousands of flight students. In 2021 the KSU flight program was renamed to The Bill Gross Professional Pilot Program.

While tirelessly working throughout the years to perfect his knowledge of aircraft, Bill earned a staggering number of ratings in airplanes, jets and helicopters. He had over 31,000 flight hours and earned the elite honor of being a designated Master Flight Instructor 9 times, as well as receiving the Wright Brothers Master Pilot Award, which is earned by less than 1% of pilots. For Bill all of that was just part of the job, and without question. The best part of the profession for him was guiding, teaching, mentoring and sometimes being a stand-in parent for his students. At age 74, Bill barely considered retiring because he still had a job to do - his calling and passion was to serve student pilots, and as he always said, he had the best view out his office window!

Bill’s most important place in life was that of a husband, father, and grandfather. Family was everything to Bill, and he lived that through the end. His greatest joy was being an amazing Pops to his five grandchildren, especially watching them play sports and taking them for rides on the John Deere tractor. Just as much, he loved sitting on the porch with his wife, having dinner with friends, and enjoying the simple things in life.

Bill was a diehard KSU Wildcat fan holding season tickets for many years; frequently sharing his tickets and sweet tailgate parking spot with students and friends. In his rare downtime, he also enjoyed watching the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs, always supporting the home team.

Beloved for his friendliness, steadfast devotion to family and students, vast aviation knowledge, and love of KSU Wildcats, Bill’s humble spirit and legacy live on through his life-long love and wife of 54 years, Elaine; his children, Mikala (Greg January), and Guy (Kate Gross); grandchildren, Austyne and Jett January, and Gunnar, Grayton and Kallia Gross; brothers, Doug (Kay Gross), and Gene (Connie Gross); and extended family, many friends and students forever impacted by Bill’s goodness and wisdom. Bill’s parents, Ralph and Frances; sister, Susan; and infant brother, Warren, preceded him in death.

A special thank you to the countless family, friends, nurses, and doctors, for your love and support during this difficult journey.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Thursday, June 17 at 10:30AM at The Ark Church, 2020 South Ohio, Salina KS 67401. To all who attend this once in a lifetime event honoring this small-town legend, as well as celebrating Bill and Elaine’s 54th wedding anniversary, admission is free! If you are so inclined, please wear purple or your pilot uniform in honor of Bill.

The service will also be live-streamed on The Ark Salina Facebook page.

In lieu of flowers, please pray that the Wildcats have a winning season, or support what Bill loved dearly by sending a Memorial Contribution, which will be used for the Bill & Elaine Gross Scholarship fund to continue his legacy of supporting the excellent training of future pilots, or to fund our family's mission at The Yard providing financial need based scholarships for young baseball and softball players. Bill would appreciate either or both.
Venmo @Bill-GrossMemorial (no fees)
Checks Payable to: Bill Gross Memorial Fund. Give to family or mail to First Bank Kansas, PO Box 1337, Salina KS 67402-9939
The Yard: https://www.kansasyouthsports.org/the-yard
Contributions to the Bill & Elaine Gross Scholarship Account may be sent to: KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave., Ste 200, Manhattan, KS 66502; please indicate fund M47344. To make a gift online, go to www.ksufoundation.org/give/GrossMemorial.
Go Fund Me (will deduct 3% of contribution): https://gofund.me/cd5460be

Following the Service, the family encourages listening to old country music and raising a cold beer in celebration of Bill’s remarkable life.

Fly High Captain Bill - - Blue Skies and Tailwinds!