Reverend William H. Cross, Jr., died on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born on October 19, 1946, in Cincinnati. He was baptized at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral, Cincinnati. He did his preparatory studies at St. Gregory Seminary and studied theology at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West and was ordained on May 25, 1974, at St. Peter in Chains Cathedral by Archbishop Joseph L. Bernardin.

Father Cross received his first assignment on June 19, 1974, as associate at Resurrection Parish, Dayton. On July 20, 1975, he was appointed associate at St. Joseph Parish, Cincinnati. On August 9, 1979, he was appointed to the faculty at McNicholas High School and (beginning October 1, 1979) appointed resident associate of Guardian Angels Parish, Cincinnati. On August 1, 1981, he was appointed to the faculty at St. Ursula High School, Cincinnati, while continuing at Guardian Angels as resident associate. On July 1, 1983, he was appointed full-time associate of St. Margaret Mary Parish, Cincinnati. On July 18, 1988, he was appointed pastor of St. Andrew Parish, Cincinnati for a term of six years. Father Cross was appointed to the College of Consultors for two consecutive terms – October 1991 for a four-year term and in November 1995 he was appointed for a five-year term. On July 1, 1994, he was appointed to the faculty at Purcell Marian High School, Cincinnati and to sacramental help at St. Andrew Parish and Holy Name Parish, Cincinnati. He was re-appointed to the faculty at Purcell Marian High School on July 1, 2005, and continued teaching at Purcell Marian until he retired. Father Cross retired from active ministry on June 30, 2012. After retirement, on July 1, 2014, he was appointed as assistant director of formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary, Cincinnati, for a term of three years.

Reception of the Body: Thursday, April 9, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains, 325 W. Eighth St., Cincinnati, Ohio 45202; (513-421-5354.) Celebrant and Homilist: Reverend Reynaldo S. Taylor. Visitation: immediately following Reception of the Body until 8:00 p.m.

Mass of Christian Burial: Friday, April 10, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Peter in Chains. Celebrant: Most Reverend Robert G. Casey. Homilist: Deacon Royce Winters.

Committal: Friday, April 10, 2026, following the Mass of Christian Burial, at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 11000 Montgomery Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Celebrant: Reverend Thomas P. DiFolco.

Associates of the Marian Pact are asked to offer, as soon as possible, one Mass for the repose of the soul of Father Cross, and when convenient, to provide for the celebration of two other Masses