William “Bill” J. Ellis, 97, of Cleveland, passed away on September 19, 2021, at Hospice of Chattanooga surrounded by a band of angels called nurses.
Bill was a lover of music. He loved gathering to sing with his group The Bradley Ramblers and play his many musical instruments which included the guitar, harmonica, steel guitar and dobro.
Upon his retirement Bill went to work at Elder’s Ace Hardware in Cleveland where he worked for many years and came to love his co-workers and customers like family.
He was a member of Philippi Baptist Church.
Bill was preceded in death by his loving wife of 63 years Martha Lorene Hughes Ellis, his parents Joe and Diora Moats Ellis, brothers Burch (Golda) Ellis and Cephas (Edna) Ellis, sisters Blanch Perkins (R.L.) Womac and Nell (Jay) Brown.
Left behind to cherish his memory is his niece Linda Perry Firestone who loved Bill like a father, and her husband Pete Firestone, nephews Hoyle (Wanda) Ellis and Oliver “Bo” (Betty) Ellis, special great-nephew/caregiver Rex Perry, special nephew John (Junnone) Brown of Nashville, two special nieces Denise McCormick, Jackie (Mitch) Lindner, many other nieces/nephews, great nieces/great nephews and a host of wonderful friends.
A Remembrance of Life Service will be held graveside on Thursday at 5 p.m. at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Pastor Sam Hooker officiating.
Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services Wildwood Ave. Chapel has charge of the arrangements.