William "Bill" Cross

William E. “Bill” Cross, 82, of Belle Rive, passed away at 1:35 p.m. on Friday, June 19, 2026, at home, peacefully and surrounded by family who loved him dearly. He was born December 3, 1943 at home in the Middle Creek area of Dahlgren, Illinois, the son of Paul and Inez (Mangrum) Cross who preceded him in death. On August 20, 1967, in Belle Rive, Illinois, he married Carolyn Scrivner, and she survives.

As a young man, Mr. Cross proudly served his country as a Marine. He was a man of many talents whose passion for electronics and computers began while he was in the Marine Corps. While working full-time at Granite City Army Depot, McDonnell-Douglas, and Scantlon Electronics in St. Louis, he earned a Master’s degree in education with a Specialist in administration at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Illinois. Residing in Belleville, he spent the first years of his education career in the Metro East area and later in Palmyra, Illinois. He and Carolyn relocated to Belle Rive in 1977. He served as superintendent at Woodlawn Grade School and Dodds Grade School. He retired from Galatia Community Unit School District #1. In addition to his education career and military service, Mr. Cross also owned and operated Cross Electronics and served on the Belle Rive Village Board for many years.

In addition to his wife, Carolyn, he is survived by his children, Steve (Lori) Cross of Culleoka, Tennessee, Meleah (Brett) Walton of Walnut Hill, Illinois, Ryan (Elizabeth and her children) Cross of Mt. Carmel, Illinois, and Kara Belangee of Belle Rive, Illinois. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Amber (Chris) Carter, Nathan (Anna) Cross, Kelly (Cody) Street, Madison (Eddie) Walton-Franklin, William Walton, Matthew Walton, Brendan Cross, Lucas Cross, Amelia (Mikey) Gayso, Chasyn Belangee, Alyse Belangee, and Dedryk Belangee, as well as his great-grandchildren, Noah, Jamison, Macie, Maddie, and Maylie. Mr. Cross is survived by his brothers, P.E. (Wilma) Cross and Clyde “Lee” (Joyce) Cross, and their families, brother-in-law, David Hugo, and his late sister’s daughter, Nan Burkeen and family, brother-in-law, David (Linda) Scrivner and family, and sister-in-law, Andrea (Kris) Morgan and family.

In addition to his parents and his sister, Evelyn Hugo, he was preceded in death by his in-laws Foster and Helen Scrivner, and cousin Iris (George) Duncan.

A Memorial Service for William Cross will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. at Gholson Funeral Home in Dahlgren with Pastor Jeremy Hamson officiating. Visitation will be held on Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until the time of service at 4:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial of ashes will take place immediately following the Memorial Service at Flint Belle Rive Cemetery in Belle Rive with Military Honors conducted by the Mt. Vernon American Legion Post #141.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Feeding America, Salvation Army, a church of your choice, or a veteran’s organization of your choice. 

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