Joe Willie Ross, a longtime resident of Vicksburg, died Friday, March 27, 2015, at his home. He was 73.

Mr. Ross was the son of the late Ledester and Willie J. Williams. He was a graduate of Bowman High School and a veteran of the U.S. Navy. He received his bachelor’s degree in industrial technology and a master’s in systems management from the University of Southern California.

He retired from Ameron as a plant manager and returned to Vicksburg to live out his retirement and served as a volunteer tutor for the Vicksburg Warren School District.

Mr. Ross is survived by one son, Joe Willie Ross Jr. of Bakersfield, Calif.; two brothers, Will Ross of Newport News, Va., and Hilary ‘Dobie’ Winn of Las Vegas; four sisters, Doretha Jackson and Bobby Jean Winn, both of Hyattsville, Md., and Mary L. Washington and Elmerree Bradley, both of Vicksburg; two grandchildren: and nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A private memorial service is planned. Dillon-Chisley Funeral Home has charge of the arrangements.