William T. “Bill” Ellis

Graveside funeral services for William T. “Bill” Ellis, age 88, of Centerville were held at 10 AM, Monday, January 4th, at the Centerville Cemetery in Centerville. Walters Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Bill Ellis was born in Dallas, Texas to Aubrey El- lis, Sr. and his wife, Maggie Mae (Watson) Ellis on December 29, 1921. He resided most of his life in Centerville. August 19, 1942 he was inducted into the Army Air Corps in Houston. On January 5, 1945, following a long and arduous trip from Houston, Texas, by way of North Carolina, Virginia, a sea trip that took him through Egypt and the Suez Canal, India and finally to China, Bill was assigned to the H.Q. Squadron, 14th Air Force, the “Flying Tigers”. He was discharged as a Staff Sergeant on Jan. 15, 1946. His awards were American theater Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with two Bronze Stars and China War Memorial Medal.

On November 15, 1958, Bill married Carole Ann Taylor. In December 1959 they went into business with Paul Ingram at an Humble Station on Highway 75. In 1965, he went into the station and wrecker business on his own and, in 1967, moved to IH 45 and opened an EXXON station owned by the company. Until 1992, he operated the W.T. Ellis Exxon Station located on the southwest corner of the intersection of IH 45 and SH 7. Bill received 15 year and 25 year awards from Exxon. He gave jobs to several generations of high school boys at his station. He was also a big lover of animals, especially his pets. He always had something to say about any topic and loved to talk. He passed away on January 1, 2010 in Centerville.

Bill is survived by his wife of over 51 years, Ann Ellis of Centerville; a daughter and son-in-law, Lisa and Robert Cawley of Centerville; a brother Ray Ellis (Maudie) of Centerville; two sisters, Virginia Shatto and Evelyn Ingram both of Centerville; two granddaughters, Caitlin Cawley and Michelle Cawley; a great granddaughter, Hannah; many nieces and nephews and his favorite cat, Blondie. Bill was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Harold Ellis, Aubrey, Jr. “Pinkie” Ellis and Milton Ellis and by one sister, Mildred Ellis.

Honorary pallbearers: Denny Payne, Dwayne Bell, Lawrence Johnson, Mike Davis, Ben Carrigan, Jimmy Carrigan and all of the former employees of W.T. Ellis Exxon.