William Bruss

William H. "Bill" Bruss, 84, of Winfield, passed away February 13, 2025.

 

The Bruss name has been well-known throughout the landscaping industry since 1952.  Bill was an integral part of that widespread recognition as co-owner of Bruss Nursery in Lombard. In the mid-eighties, Bill expanded his career and recognition by starting his own landscaping company, Bruss & Cox Landscaping. After several prosperous years of landscaping, sold the business and decided to take on an enormous project that required all his skills as a landscaper and businessman. Overseeing the entire project, he built a very successful mini-golf course and go-kart track in the Fox Valley shopping district — Smugglers Cove and Mini-Indy. Managing the course allowed him enough time to study for and acquire a commercial real estate license and he used that knowledge to acquire and develop properties. With a very fleeting thought of “retirement”, Bill decided instead to return to his landscaping roots by taking a full-time position at Cypress Group in West Chicago with some pretty wonderful people. He had not left that job and had been working daily up until the month before he died. At age 84, that elusive “retirement” never caught up to him — he was just too busy. Too busy working, too busy helping anyone who asked or just needed help. For years, without anyone asking, he plowed snow, trimmed bushes and more for friends, neighbors, strangers. He told any who offered to pay him, if they did, he would not be back.

 

To say he had a long, productive life is quite the understatement. All of his accomplishments, as varied and wonderful as they were, almost seem hollow compared to a legacy that really counts. He cannot be gone, when behind him are 5 beautiful children, each uniquely talented, but, all with the same kind, compassionate nature who will impart to their children the wisdom, practicality and care given to them by their father who loves them so very much.

 

Yes, so many in the trades knew Bill Bruss, but the essential measurement of a life well lived is that those close to him will carry forward his love — and he has that in spades!

 

Bill is survived by his loving wife Marianne, his children Peter Bruss, Jeffrey (Shelley) Bruss, Jennifer (John) Shaw, Tillie (Jason) Kopec and Rebecca Bruss. Forever cherished and remembered by his grandchildren Hannah, Andrew, John, Harrison, Natalie, Marnie, Noah, George, Henry, Kathryn and Evan, and great grandchild, Audrey, and his sister Marianne Crane.

 

Visitation Sunday March 2, 2025, from 2 to 8 p.m. at Williams-Kampp Funeral Home 430 E. Roosevelt Rd., Wheaton, IL 60187. Private Interment at St. John the Baptist Cemetery Winfield, IL. Info @ www.williams-kampp.com or (630) 668-0016.