William “Carter” Ross

William “Carter” Ross, age 21, was born on March 17, 1997, in Murfreesboro, TN.
He is the son of Rhonda “Michelle” (Clenney) and William “Todd” Ross; brother of Katherine Lee Ross and Sarah Kaye Ross, both of Hendersonville, TN; grandson of Brenda Clenney of Jackson, TN; great-grandson of  Era “Olean” Blount of Westport, TN; nephew of Mark Clenney of Henderson, TN, Sonya Adkins and Eric Ross of Nashville, TN; and cousin of Grace Clenney and Amanda Clenney of Jackson, TN, Christine Clenney of Orange Park, FL, and Clementine Adkins and Wyatt Adkins of Nashville, TN.
Carter was preceded in death by his grandfather Jimmy R. Clenney of Jackson, TN; his grandmother Linda Kaye (Carter) Ross of Jackson, TN; and his grandfather William Henry (Dub/W.H.) Ross of Union City, TN.
On December 6, 2018, Carter gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. He was involved in a military mishap involving a mid-air collision during a routine training exercise in Iwakuni, Japan.
Carter was a typical 21-year-old young man. He loved his family, God, his country and his friends.  He was a kind hearted and easy-going young man, who liked cars, hunting, fishing, riding his dirt bike and hanging with friends.
Carter was an old soul when it came to music and loved CCR, AC/DC, Aerosmith, Merle, Johnny, Waylon and old blues.
He would do anything for his friends and family without any regard to himself and without any expectation of return. He was fiercely protective of his family and friends, and if anything, questioned whether he was doing enough in support of his brother and sisters in Arms. As his wise dad said, “Son, EVERY job is important and necessary for the success of the mission.”
Carter comes from a long line of servicemen: his father was in the U.S. Navy & Army National Guard, his grandfather a serviceman in the Army, his great-grandfather a member of the Army Air Corp., his great uncle served and landed in Normandy during World War II, and his great-great grandfather served in France during World War I..
Carter attended Hendersonville High School where he was a part of the marine Corps Junior ROTC program for 3 years.
Corporal Ross graduated in June 2015 from Aaron Academy in Nashville, Tennessee. Corporal Ross enlisted in the Marine Corps in May of 2016 and attended recruit training at Paris Island, South Carolina where he earned his eagle, globe and anchor.
Corporal Ross attended Marine Combat Training (MCT) at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina August of 2016 before reporting to Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida for Naval Aircrew Candidate School (NACCS); Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine: and finally  to Little Rock Air Force Base, Little Rock, Arkansas for initial Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) training where he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal February of 2017.
In July 2017, Corporal Ross reported to Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD) East aboard MCAS Cherry Point, North Carolina where he completed his initial training syllabus for KC-130J crewmaster students.
In October 2017, Corporal Ross arrived at VMGR-152, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. It was here that he completed the KC-130J crewmaster training syllabus and was formally awarded Naval Aircrew insignia in addition to the MOS designation of 6276 KC-130J crewmaster in February of 2018.
Corporal Ross was promoted to his current rank in June 2018. His collateral duties included Assistant Non-Commissioned Officer for Ground Service Equipment, Tool Control and Individual Material Readiness List (IMRL) within the Enlisted Aircrew Division.
Corporal Ross’ awards included the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Memorial visitation and services will be held for Carter Ross on Saturday, December 22, 2018 at Long Hollow Baptist Church: 3031 Long Hollow Pike, Hendersonville, TN 37075.
Visitation will be from 9:00-11:00 a.m. with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to the Corporal Carter Ross Memorial Scholarship Fund.  Please contact the Hendersonville High School Marine JROTC Booster Club President Laurie Smith at 678-373-8798.
The family of William “Carter” Ross wishes to thank everyone for their prayers, calls, cards and donations of time and food.

Published 12.19.18