William C. Ellis

William (Bill) C Ellis Jr. 92 of Rogers Springs Lake community died peacefully in his home on 25 January 2022 with family around him. He lived on the lake for thirty-seven years. He and his wife Anna Lee, who preceded him in death in 2019, were the first couple to live on the lake as full time residents.

Bill was born on 15 August 1929 in Gas City, Indiana, the son of the late William C. Sr. and Phoebe Hunter Ellis. He graduated from Sweetser High School in 1947 and was married to Anna Lee Cassidy on November 6, 1948 for seventy years and spent the first half on their life together in the US Navy which allowed them to see most of the United States with his various assignments. His career led him from Seaman to Lieutenant Commander. He served his country for 30 years on all five oceans and five of the seven continents. He was a veteran of both the Korean and Vietnam wars. Bill retired in 1977 and settled in Memphis. For six years, Bill worked as a trainer/manager for all the Stop-n-Go’s in Memphis, and then they moved to Rogers Springs Lake in Hardeman County in 1984 where he worked at Dunn’s Sporting Goods in Grand Junction.

Bill was a devout member and pillar of faith at St Mary Catholic Church in Bolivar. He served as a catechist, a book keeper, a grounds keeper and maintenance man for the church for many years. He was there for the inception of the Loaves and Fishes program and served this program into his mid-eighties. He also loved his lake community dearly and had many friends and neighbors throughout the years.

Bill was a devoted husband to his wife and loving father to his 3 sons. Paul Ellis (wife Jan) of Middleton, TN, Stephen Ellis, deceased, (wife Charlotte Kay Ellis) of Southaven, MS. and David Ellis (wife: Erin) of Montgomery, AL. He was a proud grandfather of Christina, Jennifer, Lori, Megan, Brian, and Andrew and proud great grandpa (GGPA) to Cassidy, Allison, William, Gianna, Gabriel, Liliana, Avery, Grayson, Stella and Riley.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents and his three sisters Gracie Wagner/Mulnix, Nettie Brown and Margaret Sloderback. He is survived by his youngest sister, Elva Henderson, Cypress TX.

Bill loved being with family, he enjoyed fishing, working in his yard, reading, and playing cards, cribbage and board games. He was a master at the game of Aggravation, even the great grandkids can attest to and yet he was a humble man known for his perseverance, kindness, generosity and welcoming smile for all. He loved to make people happy.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Bill’s memory can be sent to St Mary Catholic Church or your favorite charity.