Bill Ross, former Inasmuch Foundation chairman, remembered as a 'civic giant'
William J. “Bill” Ross, the former chair of the Oklahoma City-based Inasmuch Foundation known for providing grants to numerous nonprofits, died early Thursday. He was 92 when he died at SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital, the same hospital in which he was born in 1930.
Ross, a lifetime resident of Oklahoma City, also served as chair of the Excellence and Ethics in Journalism Foundation, another grant-distributing foundation focused on funding journalism institutions throughout Oklahoma. Both founded by Edith K. Gaylord, whose family held ownership of The Oklahoman for more than a century, the two foundations merged under the Inasmuch umbrella in 2014.
“He was a great dad, and we were very close,” said Bob Ross, Bill Ross’s son and current president of the Inasmuch Foundation, where his father was also a founding trustee in 1982. “A lot of sons don’t get to work with their dads, but we had so much fun working together for over 20 years at the foundation. He loved Oklahoma City, and he was so excited to see it grow and prosper. We’re going to miss him, but I know that he’ll be with us and we’ll be hearing him in everything we do at the Inasmuch Foundation.”
Bill Ross held a variety of leadership roles in the city and the state throughout his life, including director of the Oklahoma City Philharmonic Society and chairman of the Federal Judicial Nominating Committee, among numerous other positions. Close friends and family remembered him as a “civic giant” who advocated tirelessly for investment in the city.
“Dedicating his own life to the betterment of the city and the state is not only a wonderful example of citizenship and loyalty, but of his wonderful good character for the benefit of others,” said retired U.S. federal Judge Ralph Thompson, who was Ross' close friend for 70 years. “He was just one of the finest people who those of who knew him ever knew. He was truly a scholar and a gentleman and widely regarded as such by a wide circle of Oklahoma City (residents). Our city and our state are much the better for Bill Ross’ service and life.”
Others also remembered the importance of religious faith in Ross’ life. Bill Paul, former president of the American Bar Association, led the ceremony when Ross was inducted into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame in 2015, and remembers how devout Ross was in his Catholic faith.
“No matter what the occasion, he’d always go to Mass,” Paul said. “That was truly a hallmark of his life. I’m Presbyterian, but I’d often go with him, and I learned so much from him.”
“His friends were lifelong friends,” Paul added. “I think they looked at Bill as sort of the big brother of the group, and loyalty was so important to him. He was a superb counselor who always gave me very good advice over the years, which I very much appreciated. For me, he was just always good at separating what was important from what wasn’t. He’s going to be missed dearly.”
Over the course of his life, Ross represented many clients, including the railroads and public utilities, but it is his relationship with the Gaylord family that he is inextricably linked. For years, he served as both business and personal legal counsel to journalistic patriarch Edward K. Gaylord and his daughter, Edith K. Gaylord.
“I think that speaks volumes on the level of trust they had in him,” Thompson said. “He was a trusted member of the Gaylord family, uniquely so.”
A graduate of both the University of Oklahoma’s business and law colleges, Ross’ time representing the Inasmuch Foundation often saw him fulfilling a philanthropic role at the university. He was co-chairman of the OU College of Law Board of Visitors up until his death, and OU President Joseph Harroz Jr., remembered his mentorship fondly, calling him “Law School Dad.”
“Bill Ross was one of my heroes,” Harroz said. “At every turn he’s been there for me personally, but also for OU and for our state. He is the truest form of a servant leader. I loved him, and I mean that. Anytime I think about the person I want to be, I think of a handful of people. My father is one, and Bill Ross is another one of them.”
Bill Ross is survived by his wife, Mary Lillian "Lil" Ross, their three adult children and several grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Christ the King Catholic Church in Oklahoma City.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: William 'Bill' Ross, former Inasmuch Foundation leader, dies
