Hal Vance Ross Jr. passed away on Sunday, December 11, 2022 at his home in Clinton, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, December 15, 2022 at the Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton with visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM prior to the service. Burial to follow in Englewood Cemetery in Clinton. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Judes Children's Hospital or the Warrensburg MO Veterans Home and can be left in care of the funeral home.

Hal Vance was born on 10/1/1935 in Clinton MO to Hal and Wilma Ross. He spent his early childhood years in Pasadena California as his father worked in the shipyards. As Hal turned 5 he returned to Missouri and spent his childhood and teenage years in the Coal Mo area. He attended high school in Clinton MO and graduated in 1953.

He began his working career on the farm in Coal and helping other farmers baling hay and the many farm chores needed at that time. He loved to play baseball and enjoyed playing other teams located around the Coal MO area. Hal served his country in the US Army for four years between 1958 and 1962 where he was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood and Fort McCoy in Wisconsin. After high school Hal began working with Elmer Meredith and that led to his joining the Carpenter's Union after he was honorably discharged from the Army.

Hal worked as a union Carpenter building many projects in the central Missouri area including the power plant near Montrose, many buildings at Central Missouri University, Clinton City Pool and Sewer treatment plant just to name a few. In 1980 Hal was elected Henry County Circuit Clerk and served for four years. Hal retired in 1985.  During his retirement he worked part time for Atkins printing for a few years before fully retiring. Hal was a member of Drakes Chapel church for over 20 years. Hal married Betty Ross of Clinton MO on 9/29/1956. They spent two years in Clinton until Hal was stationed in the service in Sparta, Wi. Hal and Betty returned to Clinton in 1959 and remained until Hal's passing.

Hal enjoyed attending sprint car racing and looked forward to attending the Knoxville Nationals every year for over 50 years. His favorite driver was Steve Kinser. Hal always looked forward to attending races with his children and grand-children and sharing his knowledge of racing past and present. In short, he loved to drive and watch cars go fast. The past few years he looked forward to watching World of Outlaws sprint car races live at home with Betty through the internet.  Hal enjoyed politics and was greatly interested in local as well at state and national politics. That interest was born through his work in the Carpenter's union and the challenges workers had in the 1960's. Hal took pride in always championing and supporting those less fortunate.

Those preceding Hal in death were his parents Hal Sr., Wilma, and his brother Clarence of Kansas City, MO.

Hal is survived by his two children Richard (Christine) Ross of Osage Beach, MO, and her daughter Carolyn Sanders of Clinton, MO. Hal is also survived by his three grandchildren, Ericka Ross of Lee's Summit, MO, Lauren Sanders (Joe Meineker) of Clinton, MO, and Myranda Ross of Columbia, MO along with many other family and friends. Hal was blessed with one great-grand child Juniper Meineker of Clinton, MO. During the last nine months of his life was blessed to also have his Caretaker, Christina Walton of Urich, MO to help him with his daily care. Whether it was his work, family or interests, Hal found pleasure looking out for others in his own unique way.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home in Clinton, Missouri.