Man keeps his promise to help others

When William Ross passed away at the age of 93, he included The United Way Endowment in his will. This hardworking family man had one goal: to make a lasting difference in his community.

William's inspiration resulted from a personal experience he had during the Great Depression, when he was just 17 years old. Financial hardship forced his family to split up. William was sent to live with a family who gave him room and board in return for working at the gas station they owned.

He missed his family and dreamed of being with them. He promised himself that if his family were reunited, he would help others by giving money to charities whenever he could.

William's dream came true. His parents found a way to be a family again, and William grew up to have a family of his own. Some 70 years after vowing to repay his good fortune, William kept his promise by leaving his life's savings to help improve lives in Miami-Dade for years to come. While William was not a millionaire, he was rich with love for his family and his community.

His family is incredibly proud of his generosity, noting that "everyone in the family knows this is what he wanted, and we're thrilled that his dreams of helping others are being fulfilled through this endowment gift."

William's contribution to The Endowment is a legacy that will help those who need it most for years to come.