Walnut Ridge- William "Bill" Russell Ellis, 98, passed away on October 9, 2017 at home surrounded by loved ones.

Bill was born August 27, 1919 in Pocahontas, AR to the late James Frank and Winnie Nell James Ellis. He graduated from Pocahontas High School in 1939, served in the Army for 3 ½ years including 2 years overseas during WWII, farmed for over 40 years in the Light Community, and served on the Greene County School Board for 5 years. He also was a member of Light Baptist Church until they moved to Walnut Ridge 13 years ago and then joined the First Baptist Church in Walnut Ridge.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Percy Ellis; sisters, Annie Ruth Wallace, Mary Simpson, and Fannie Broadway.

He is survived by his wife, Tula Caroline Ellis of the home; daughter, Winnie Ellis Tedder and husband, Edward "Eggie" of Walnut Ridge; grandchildren, Rhonda Forrester and husband, Paul of Walnut Ridge, Jennifer Williams and husband, Brent of Fayetteville; great grandchildren, Jackson Ellis Forrester, Taylor Forrester, Hadley Williams, Elyse Williams; brothers, Jack Ellis of Dewitt, Dan Ellis of Pocahontas; sisters, Fern Coonce of Pocahontas, Martha Edwards of Dallas, Louise Simpson of Searcy; and his very special caregivers, Judy Holder, JoAnn Alexander, Sharon Goodwin and Sue Hill.

Visitation will be Thursday, October 12, 2017 from 6-8 pm at McNabb Funeral Home. The funeral service will be Friday, October 13, 2017 at 2 pm with Raymond Atwood and Jake Guenrich officiating. Burial in Randolph Memorial Gardens.

Pallbearers: great grandson, Jackson Ellis Forrester, nephews, Frank Ellis, Danny Ellis, Mike Ellis, and farmer friends Joe Pratt and Stacy Rice.

Honorary pallbearers are his Men's Sunday School Class.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to the First Baptist Church of Walnut Ridge Youth Ministry or Light Baptist Church Memorial Fund.