William Ross

William "Bill" Donald Ross (July 6, 1928 – August 21, 2021), was an American water polo player who competed for the University of Southern California and participated in water polo at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics. After graduating the University of Southern California with a Business degree, he would have a career in banking, and as a President of the Saving and Loan Association of Santa Ynez, California.

Ross attended Hamilton High School, part of greater Los Angeles's West Side. In both 1948 and 1951, he made All-Conference honors while at USC. The strong team from the Illinois Athletic Club lodged a protest, having tied the Southern California WP Club 6-6 in a final game, but the judges disallowed the protest, as the Southern California Water Polo Club had the larger number of tournament goals.

1956 Melbourne Olympics Ross was a member of the American water polo team which finished fifth in the 1956 Olympic water polo tournament in Melbourne, Australia under Head Olympic Coach Neal Kohlhase and Assistant Coach Urho Saari, both Water Polo Hall of Fame members. Ross played all six matches, and as a starter played every minute of each game.

Careers and avocations In service to the water polo community, Ross worked with the Water Polo Committee of the Southern Pacific Amateur Athletic Union, and from 1981-1984 served as an advisor to the Committee on the Sports Commission in charge of the Olympic Games in 1984.