James L. “Chester” Ross age 79 of Williamsfield passed away surrounded by his loving family on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Seminary Manor, Galesburg, Illinois.
James was born on March 19, 1945, in Smithshire, Illinois, the son of Robert Vernon Ross and Margaret C. Rosenbalm Ross. He attended Williamsfield High school in Williamsfield, Illinois. He married Barbara Ann Welch on August 11, 1962, at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Brimfield Illinois.
Survivors include his wife, Barbara Ann Ross of Williamsfield, Illinois: three children, James Robert Ross of Williamsfield, Susan (Rick) LaFollette of Williamsfield, Steve (Jeanna) Ross of Dunlap, Illinois; a bonus daughter, Daphne (Bertrand) DeBrito and her two children, Theo and Iana of Paris, France: four grandchildren, Kristen LaFollette of Rock Island, Illinois, Logan (Emily) LaFollette of Chicago, Illinois, Emma Ross and Isabelle Ross, of Dunlap, Illinois: and one great-granddaughter, Violet; one brother, Ed (Marge) Ross of McMinnville, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings: Doris Wasson, Carol Guilinger, Millie Galusha, Robert Ross and Bill Ross.
He worked for a short time at Caterpillar, then went on to work as a mechanic and big truck sales at Wight Chevrolet in Williamsfield, Illinois. He worked at Wight Chevrolet for over 45 years before retiring. He was a former police chief in Williamsfield, as well as fire chief of the Williamsfield Fire District. James assisted with building the new fire station in Williamsfield, was a part of the town board, and was a member of the Willi Club. He had three antique chevy cars he showed at local car shows and a vast collection of Toy Tractors.
Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Knoxville, with Funeral Services will beginning at 11:30 a.m. Burial will be in Williamsfield Cemetery, Williamsfield, Illinois. After the graveside services a Celebration of Life will be held from 2-5 p.m. at the Williamsfield American Legion Post 371 at the Ralph C. Norman Hall in Williamsfield, Illinois. In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to the ARC of the Quad Cities. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.