W. O. ''Audy'' Gross

GROSS, W. O. “AUDY” W. O. “Audy” Gross, age 87, of Waco passed away Wednesday, January 8, 2003 at a local nursing home. Graveside services will be held at 12:30pm Saturday, January 11 at Oakwood Cemetery with the Rev. Curtis Holland officiating. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Friday, January 10 at Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey, 6101 Bosque Blvd. Mr. Gross was born May 15, 1915, in Waco, the son of William O. Gross, Sr. and Willie Yowell Gross. He graduated from Waco High School in 1933. As a young man he worked for William Cameron Lumber Company and then served his country in the Army during WWII in India and Burma. He married Dorothy Bell May of San Saba in 1939. They were married 54 years before her death in 1992. Mr. Gross and his cousin, Orville Yowell, started a lumber business in 1946. Bill Yowell later joined them in the business and ran the Killeen location. With hard work and perseverance Gross-Yowell & Company has grown to have an important place in the construction community of Waco and the surrounding areas. Mr. Gross enjoyed hunting and fishing, especially at his prized “800” Ranch in McGregor. He was a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Heart of Texas Homebuilders Association and Association of General Contractors. Mr. Gross is survived by his son, Barry Gross of Waco and son and daughter-in-law, Bob and Varyn Gross of McGregor. His two grandchildren, Taylor and Caitlin Gross, of McGregor, will miss their “Poppaw” very much. He is also survived by cousin, Bill Yowell, of Killeen. Honorary pallbearers are Harold Clark, J.W. “Mac” McClintock, Homer Dickenson, Bill Yowell, Jack Oxner, Joe Garner and Al C. Barron. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Salvation Army at P. O. Box 242, Waco, 76703. Memorial guestbook at www.wilkirsonhatchbailey.com. WILKIRSON-HATCH-BAILEY