Mr. William James “Bill” Ellis, 89, died Thursday, June 16, 2011, at a local hospital after a brief illness. He was a native and lifelong resident of Castleberry and a member of the Castleberry United Methodist Church. He was a member of the state and county cattlemen’s association, Alabama Forestry Association, American Tree Farmer’s Association, Buffington Cemetery Trust and served 10 years on the Conecuh County Board of Education. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during World War II and he was a 1941 graduate of Conecuh County High School. He was preceded in death by a son, Paul Solomon Ellis.

He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Myrtice Williams Ellis of Castleberry; a son, William James “Jim” (Lisa) Ellis II of Paducah, Ky.; a daughter, Evelyn (Keith) Pate of Pike Road; a brother, John (Annie Jean) Ellis of Bay Minette; two sisters, Corine Weaver of Mobile and Julia (Rudolph) Williams of Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; eight grandchildren, Nicholas, Noah, Eli and Emaline Ellis of Homerville, Ga., Bethany Pate of Pike Road, and Hannah, Amanda and Olivia Ellis, of Paducah.

Visitation will be held Monday, June 20, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Craver’s Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday, June 21, at 10 a.m. at Craver’s Funeral home with the Rev. Bob Bodbee and the Rev. Tim Boggs officiating. Burial will follow at Buffington Cemetery with Craver’s Funeral Home directing. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the charity of choice.

Please share your memories and condolences with the family at www.craversfh.com