BALLARAT police, friends and family members will say goodbye to respected police officer William ‘Bill’ Ross today who died on Sunday after a short battle with cancer.Mr Ross had been a member of Victoria Police for 40 years and had worked in the Ballarat Police watch house for about 11 years, where his main role was processing prisoners and looking after their welfare.Ballarat police Inspector Bruce Thomas said Mr Ross was a great friend not only to fellow officers, but was also respectful to prisoners.“Bill portrayed a gruff exterior but was a genuine person with a heart of gold,” Inspector Thomas said.“Bill loved a chat and would always ask what was happening around the place as he wanted to be involved. He was a real character and will be sadly missed around the police station.”His partner of 24 years Marilyn Smith described the late 60-year-old as a rock and someone who “loved being a policeman”.“He was reliable, dependable, if he said he was going to do something he would do it,” she said.His son Ewan lovingly described his dad as a “grumpy old bugger”, but a grumpy bugger with a heart of gold.“I couldn’t ask for much more as a dad. I heard he was a bit of prankster down at the station, but he did a good job,” he said.Mr Ross is survived by his partner Marilyn, four children and two step-children.A funeral will be held at Peter Tobin’s Doveton Park Funeral Centre today at 2.30pm.