Retired William Ross (Rossi) Connors

WILLIAM ROSS (ROSSI) CONNORS, Master Sergeant USAF Retired, passed away Sunday, January 12, 2014 at U. T. Medical Center. He was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church of Jefferson City, V.F.W. Post 3380 and the Dandridge Lions Club. Rossi was a retired Master Sergeant who served first with the Navy and later with the Air Force during his 26 years of active duty. He served during World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars, during which he received numerous awards and commendations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He served with Strategic Air Command (SAC) as a boom operator on KC-97 and 135 tankers. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ross and Mary (Kennedy) Connors, and brother, Paul Connors. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Elva (Parker) Connors; son, William Ross Connors (Kathie); daughter, Deborah Linstrom; and grandchildren, Meghan Gagneur and William Lippolis; and great-grandson, Billy Lippolis. Visitation will be Tuesday, January 21, 2014 from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow immediately at 11:30 a.m. with Reverend Dan Whitman officiating. Interment will be at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials be made to the Jefferson Rural Clinic, 126 W. Old A.J. Highway, Jefferson City, TN 37760. Arrangements by Farrar Funeral Home in Dandridge, TN (865) 397-2711