William “Bill” A. Cross, 93, died March 3 in Redmond, Washington.
He was born in Beacon on Dec. 23, 1931, the son of William and Myrtle (Root) Cross. He graduated in 1951 from New York City College.
On Nov. 22, 1954, he married Helen Clee, who died in 1979. On June 18, 1983, he married Lois McAllister, who died in 2018.
In his younger days, Bill was a hunter and fisherman who enjoyed the mountains and streams of the Hudson Valley. Later he took up tennis. He also enjoyed the arts, growing bonsai, playing the piano and listening to classical music. He had a great sense of humor and loved telling stories, particularly of growing up in Beacon, his family said.
Bill was an accountant and general manager, which necessitated moving back and forth across the country. He retired in 2014, at age 83, from Corporate United Van Lines in Washington state. He also sat on the board of several charitable organizations.
He is survived by his children: William (Laurie), Joe (Patty), Tom (Anne Wehrly), Veronica Ryan (Bruce Pyles), Robert (Sally), Edward and John (Rose Brant); and his stepchildren, Ross McAllister and Megan Johnson (Mike). He also leaves 22 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. His siblings, Theresa Travis and Francois Cross, died earlier.
A brief graveside service will be held at St. Joachim Cemetery in Beacon at 11:30 a.m. on April 4, followed by a reception at the Southern Dutchess Country Club.
