Bonnie Wayne (B.W.) Ross passed away November 3, 2011 at Baptist Hospital.
He was born January 30, 1937 to B.F. and Dott Ross in Jefferson, Texas.
Mr. Ross received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. He began his 29 year career as a band director in Mt. Enterprise, TX. He then taught in Longview, Carlisle and New London schools before settling in Silsbee in the fall of 1969. He was band director in the Silsbee Independent School district for 18 years. Mr. Ross's bands won several awards over the years including first places in UIL Marching contests and several Sweepstakes Awards. His New London band was chosen to perform at the Red River Exposition held in Winnipeg, Canada and at the Cotton Bowl parade and halftime. The Silsbee High School Marching Band of 1980-81 was selected to compete in the UIL State Marching contest in Austin.
While teaching at Pine Tree Jr. High in Longview in 1959, he met and married his wife of 51 years LaVerne Weeks Ross. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 19, 2009. After his retirement from teaching in 1987, he became the owner of East Texas Music in Groves where he was able to continue his connection with the band community. After selling the business and retiring in 1997, he was able to spend time with his grandchildren and on the golf course, two of his favorite past times.
Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his parents B.F. and Dott Ross.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, LaVerne; daughter Sheila Ross; daughter Lanita Ross Gilchriest and son-in-law Brook Gilchriest; one grandson and one granddaughter; and several nieces, nephews and special friends and family members.
Burial: R. S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee.
R S Farmer Funeral Home, Silsbee, Texas
He was born January 30, 1937 to B.F. and Dott Ross in Jefferson, Texas.
Mr. Ross received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. He began his 29 year career as a band director in Mt. Enterprise, TX. He then taught in Longview, Carlisle and New London schools before settling in Silsbee in the fall of 1969. He was band director in the Silsbee Independent School district for 18 years. Mr. Ross's bands won several awards over the years including first places in UIL Marching contests and several Sweepstakes Awards. His New London band was chosen to perform at the Red River Exposition held in Winnipeg, Canada and at the Cotton Bowl parade and halftime. The Silsbee High School Marching Band of 1980-81 was selected to compete in the UIL State Marching contest in Austin.
While teaching at Pine Tree Jr. High in Longview in 1959, he met and married his wife of 51 years LaVerne Weeks Ross. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 19, 2009. After his retirement from teaching in 1987, he became the owner of East Texas Music in Groves where he was able to continue his connection with the band community. After selling the business and retiring in 1997, he was able to spend time with his grandchildren and on the golf course, two of his favorite past times.
Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his parents B.F. and Dott Ross.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, LaVerne; daughter Sheila Ross; daughter Lanita Ross Gilchriest and son-in-law Brook Gilchriest; one grandson and one granddaughter; and several nieces, nephews and special friends and family members.
Burial: R. S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee.
R S Farmer Funeral Home, Silsbee, Texas
Bonnie Wayne (B.W.) Ross passed away November 3, 2011 at Baptist Hospital.
He was born January 30, 1937 to B.F. and Dott Ross in Jefferson, Texas.
Mr. Ross received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. He began his 29 year career as a band director in Mt. Enterprise, TX. He then taught in Longview, Carlisle and New London schools before settling in Silsbee in the fall of 1969. He was band director in the Silsbee Independent School district for 18 years. Mr. Ross's bands won several awards over the years including first places in UIL Marching contests and several Sweepstakes Awards. His New London band was chosen to perform at the Red River Exposition held in Winnipeg, Canada and at the Cotton Bowl parade and halftime. The Silsbee High School Marching Band of 1980-81 was selected to compete in the UIL State Marching contest in Austin.
While teaching at Pine Tree Jr. High in Longview in 1959, he met and married his wife of 51 years LaVerne Weeks Ross. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 19, 2009. After his retirement from teaching in 1987, he became the owner of East Texas Music in Groves where he was able to continue his connection with the band community. After selling the business and retiring in 1997, he was able to spend time with his grandchildren and on the golf course, two of his favorite past times.
Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his parents B.F. and Dott Ross.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, LaVerne; daughter Sheila Ross; daughter Lanita Ross Gilchriest and son-in-law Brook Gilchriest; one grandson and one granddaughter; and several nieces, nephews and special friends and family members.
Burial: R. S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee.
R S Farmer Funeral Home, Silsbee, Texas
He was born January 30, 1937 to B.F. and Dott Ross in Jefferson, Texas.
Mr. Ross received both his Bachelor of Music and Master of Arts degrees from Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. He began his 29 year career as a band director in Mt. Enterprise, TX. He then taught in Longview, Carlisle and New London schools before settling in Silsbee in the fall of 1969. He was band director in the Silsbee Independent School district for 18 years. Mr. Ross's bands won several awards over the years including first places in UIL Marching contests and several Sweepstakes Awards. His New London band was chosen to perform at the Red River Exposition held in Winnipeg, Canada and at the Cotton Bowl parade and halftime. The Silsbee High School Marching Band of 1980-81 was selected to compete in the UIL State Marching contest in Austin.
While teaching at Pine Tree Jr. High in Longview in 1959, he met and married his wife of 51 years LaVerne Weeks Ross. They celebrated their 50th anniversary on December 19, 2009. After his retirement from teaching in 1987, he became the owner of East Texas Music in Groves where he was able to continue his connection with the band community. After selling the business and retiring in 1997, he was able to spend time with his grandchildren and on the golf course, two of his favorite past times.
Mr. Ross was preceded in death by his parents B.F. and Dott Ross.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, LaVerne; daughter Sheila Ross; daughter Lanita Ross Gilchriest and son-in-law Brook Gilchriest; one grandson and one granddaughter; and several nieces, nephews and special friends and family members.
Burial: R. S. Farmer Memorial Cemetery in Silsbee.
R S Farmer Funeral Home, Silsbee, Texas
Family Members
Spouse
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
