William "Bill" C. Ellis

William “Bill” C. Ellis, age 85, of Metropolis, IL, passed away surrounded by family on Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at the Metropolis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, October 16, 2020 at the Shelby Funeral Home in East Prairie, MO with Rev. Jon Cockrel officiating. Burial will follow in East Prairie Cemetery.

Bill was a member of the First United Methodist Church and the best gardener around. He was a resident of Metropolis Nursing and Rehab for the past two and a half years which became an integral part of his life. While there, here he gained many friends in the residents and staff which brought him great joy.

Bill is survived by two daughters, Betty Myers of Metropolis, IL and Carolyn Balfantz and husband David of Walker, LA; one son, Bill Ellis and wife Marilyn of Tower Hill, IL; 15 grandchildren, April Reed, whom he helped raise, Kevin Myers, Curtis Myers, Angela Lewis, Bryan Balfantz, David Balfantz, Tracy Spiegel, Marcie Earles, Tasha Linder, Deriek Ellis, Amanda Hanley, Missy Johnson, Kurt Ellis, Tony Ellis, and Jackie Peavler; several great and great-great grandchildren; two sisters, Dorothy Jennings and Faye Wren; three brothers, Bobby Ellis, Richard Ellis, Bud Ellis; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Glen Ellis; his mother, Mary Ellen Ellis; wife, Jeanie Ellis; infant daughter, Pamela Ellis; one son, Tim Ellis; two sisters, Peggy Jo Lewis and Betty Morris; brother, John Otis Ellis.

Visitation will be held Friday, October 16th from 12 noon until the funeral hour at 1 p.m. at Shelby Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be given in Bill’s name to Metropolis Nursing and Rehabilitation Center 2299 Metropolis Street, Metropolis, IL, 62960.   

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