A heart of gold stopped beating on March 11, 2019 when our cherished Husband, Father, Grandfather and Friend, William Ross Mellor passed away peacefully at home. Ross was born on September 12, l924 in Los Angeles, CA where he spent his early childhood. He was the only child of Ross Mellor & Myrtle Scheerer. The family moved to Portland, OR. when Ross was twelve years old and after graduating from Grant High in 1942, he continued his education at the University of Oregon. He left college from 1943 to 1946 to serve his country in the US Army with the 98th Infantry Division in WWII. On May 12, 1946, he married his college sweetheart, Joan McGregor. While attending the University of Oregon, they became parents to their daughter, Gail. After graduation the family moved to Hooper, WA where Ross became the accountant for McGregor Land and Livestock and in 1950, while living in Hooper, a son, Bill came along. 1953 brought a move to Prosser to become a partner in the International Harvester Co. and in l955 he became a partner with Francis Moore in Moore and Mellor Realty and Insurance. In 1958, he added an appraisal business and remained active until retiring in 1990.
Ross was very civic minded and belonged to numerous organizations including; Past President of the Lower Yakima Valley Board of Realtors; Washington State Reclamation Assoc.; Chamber of Commerce; Rotary Club, (Rotarian of the Year); UGN President (board member and drive chairman); awarded the Prosser & Washington State Jaycees Distinguished Service Award; Director of Security Bank; Construction Chair of the concessions stands in the city park; Chairman of States Day Parade, Prosser Float and 4th of July fireworks; 1996 Grand Marshall of the States Day Parade; and a member of the Elks, Eagles and VFW. Ross married Ilene Curtis on November 8, 1974, bringing four children into the marriage. They enjoyed 44 years together and traveled the world by land and sea and spent many winters at their home in Yuma, AZ. Ross truly loved life, his family and his community. He worked hard and played hard, loved to entertain and was often the “Life of the Party.”
Ross is survived by his wife, Ilene; daughter, Gail Blair and husband, Jan; son, Bill Mellor ( Sandi); grandchildren, Jeff Blair and wife, Lynn and their children, Kooper, Kason, Kampbell and Kambree; Kelly LaBounty and husband, Matt and their sons, Jacob and Lucas; Lori Blair and son, Brady Stenberg; Shane Mellor and wife, Angela and their daughters, Juelcee, Zaelynn and Tayley; Brendon Mellor and Kelli and their children, Micah and Olivia Mellor and Kelli’s children, Josh and Samantha Miller.
He is also survived by three stepchildren, Barbara Metteer, Bill and Rick Curtis and their families and grandchildren, Stacy Benningfield, Gary Fatkin, Toni Stewart, Paul and Peter Mendez. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Joan; and step-daughter, Patricia Mendez.
A special thank you to his devoted caregiver, Patti Escobar, for her tender loving care during the last ten days of his life.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the Covenant Presbyterian Church, 912 Yakima Ave. in Prosser on March 23rd at 11:00 AM, followed by a graveside service with Full Military Honors at the Prosser Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice, Meals on Wheels, or charity of choice. Those wishing to sign the online memorial book may do so at www.prosserfuneralhome.com.
