William R. Ellis

William R. “Willie Bill” Ellis, 80, of Paducah, went home to be with the Lord Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Baptist Health in Paducah.

William was a proud veteran of the U.S. Navy He retired from Kirby Corporation as a chief engineer. William loved to cook and work on small engines in his free time. On nice days, he could be found in his garden. He had a heart for children. He even spent several years dressing as Santa for Tri-County Special Education. William had a strong faith in his Lord and Savior. He was a member of Victory Assembly Worship Center.

William is survived by his wife, Christina Ellis; two sons, Joseph (Cheryl) Ellis and James (Leslie) Ellis; five stepchildren, David (Karen) Haley, Tommy Haley, Tamie Tyra, Janie Fisk, and Jennifer Vowell; eight sisters, Jean Smith, Kay (Lavoy) Fortner, Linda (Gary) Davis, Mary Phelps, Betty Allison, Joann Reynolds, Barbara Jean VanZandt, Denise Kay Sprague; five brothers, Lloyd “Hoot” DeRossett, Gerald “Peck” DeRossett, Michael (Sheila) DeRossett, Gary (Joyce) DeRossett, and Ronald Lee (Katie) Ellis; two grandchildren, Jordan (Alissa) Ellis and Isaac Ellis; 16 step grandchildren; one great-grandson and one great-granddaughter on the way; and several step great-grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Beulah and John Louis DeRossett; his father, Reuben Ellis; one sister, Barbara Ann Mason; nine brothers, Hubert Ellis, Willard Ellis, John L. DeRossett Jr., Robert Dale DeRossett, Robert Gardner, Rueben Ellis, Jimmy Ellis, Gary Lee Ellis, and Alan Wayne Ellis; and two grandchildren, Xander Ellis and Jessica Ellis.

Funeral services for William will be held Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 1:00 pm at Victory Assembly Worship Center with Rev. Gary DeRossett officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Kenton Cemetery.

Friends may visit the family from 11:00 am to service hour Saturday. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his honor to Tri-County School in Murphysboro, Illinois.

Lindsey Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.