William Tyler Ross, MD, of Charlottesville, Virginia, died on February 5, 2021. Born in Lynchburg, Virginia, he was the son of the late William Tyler Ross Sr. and Gay Caskie Ross.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Phyllis, and their two daughters, Megan Hall (Michael) and their son, Finn, and Ryan Looney (Jack), and their children, Max and Sami. He is also survived by his children, Susan Tuck (Billy) and Lee Ross (Renee).

He was a curious and smart child, and had a great childhood building boats, playing by the railroad tracks, and building smoke bombs from gunpowder with his brothers.

He attended Jefferson High School in Roanoke, Virginia. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout, and served as the Boy Scout camp “doctor” at age 17. He graduated from Hampden Sydney College, and the University of Virginia Medical School. After graduating medical school, he spent two years as a surgical resident at Vanderbilt University, then he was off to the United States Navy during the Vietnam War. He was proud of his service as the only ship’s doctor on the USS St. Paul. This led to his interest in anesthesiology, since he had to rely on the shipboard dentist to provide anesthesia.

When he left the Navy, he returned to UVA for a residency in anesthesia. Upon completion of his residency, he joined the UVA Anesthesia faculty until his retirement in 2005.

He loved teaching the residents, and enjoyed the rewards and challenges of anesthesia. He knew the inner workings of the anesthesia machines better than the company reps. He enjoyed traveling the world with Phyllis, and together they visited all seven continents. He earned an MBA from the College of William and Mary in 1996. He enjoyed life’s ups and downs by earning a private pilot’s license, and SCUBA diving certification.

At home, he always loved a good project, and had the skills and tools for everything from fixing a car, to repairing a watch, to remodeling a home. He would drop everything to come over and pour gasoline down a yellow jacket nest. He had a supply of fasteners that rivaled any hardware store, and could stop any rattle or squeak.

His family would like to thank Hospice of the Piedmont for the outstanding, compassionate care provided during the last weeks of Bill’s life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Hospice of the Piedmont, 675 Peter Jefferson Parkway, Suite 300, Charlottesville, VA 22911.