Norman, OK - William Ross Carmack, Jr., 97, passed away on July 28 after a lifetime of service, scholarship, and devotion to his family. He earned a BA from Abilene Christian University, an MA from Florida State University, and a Ph.D. in Speech Communication from the University of Illinois. During his academic career at OU, he was awarded the honor of David Ross Boyd Professor and Regents' Professor. He is survived by his sons, Scott Carmack and his wife, Tracy Carmack, and David Carmack and his wife, Lisa Jobe-Carmack; his granddaughter, Matisse Carmack; his nieces, Peggy Piletere of Houston, Texas, and Nancy Martin of Georgetown, Texas. There will be a memorial service at the Primrose Funeral Service in Norman, OK, on October 21, 2026 at 10:30am.