William ‘Bill’ Ellis, 88 / Aug. 1, 1921 — July 12, 2010

Published 8:57 am Thursday, July 15, 2010

William ‘Bill’ Ellis, 88 / Aug. 1, 1921 — July 12, 2010William ‘Bill’ Ellis, 88 / Aug. 1, 1921 — July 12, 2010

William “Bill” Ellis, 88, of South Bend and formerly of Cassopolis, passed away Monday, July 12, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Providence House in South Bend surrounded by his loving family.

He was born Aug. 1, 1921 in Greentown, Ind. to the late Robert W. and Freda S. (Powell) Ellis.

Bill retired in 1986 as manager of Michigan Livestock Exchange in Cassopolis after 27 years of service. Bill was a member of Pleasant View Church of Christ in Cassopolis, where he was an elder of the church and taught Sunday School. He was a 1939 graduate of Union High School. Bill was a hospice volunteer. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and feeding birds.

Bill married the former Mary Elizabeth Williams on Nov. 23, 1941 in Greentown, Ind. She survives. He is also survived by four children, Ronald (Anita) Ellis, of Westport, Ind., Barbara (Larry) Halstead, of Hamilton, Ohio, Gene Ellis, of Alexandria, Ind. and Ed (Judy) Ellis, of South Bend; seven grandchildren, Ryan Ellis, Karyn Hurst, Todd Ellis, Heather McDowell, Tracie Hawes, Michael Halstead and Jonathan Ellis; 12 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert (Rebecca) Ellis and Leonard (Virginia) Ellis, both of Greentown, Ind.; and a brother-in-law, Donald Graf, of Greentown, Ind.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Freda Graf, and a brother, Floyd Ellis.

A funeral service will be held Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 2 p.m. at Jerome Christian Church in Greentown, Ind.

Interment will be in Greentown Cemetery, Greentown.

Officiating will be the Rev. Justin Shepard, pastor of Michiana Church of Christ, Dowagiac.

The family will receive friends Thursday from 4 to 8 p.m. at Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis and one hour before the service at the church.

Connelly Funeral Home, Cassopolis is handling arrangements and Hasler-Stout Funeral Home in Greentown is handling the funeral service.

Memorials may be sent to Harbor Light Hospice, 4330 Miami St., South Bend, IN 46614.

Online condolences can be left at connellyfuneralhome@verizon.net.