William C. Ellis Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church Sunday, June 4, 2023.

Beloved husband of Sharon Ellis (nee Wiegert); dearest father of Heather Ellis-McNamee and W. Clark Ellis; loving step-father of Michael (Hayley) Abram, Elizabeth (Randy) Rahbar, Corey Abram, and Emily Sanderson; dear grandfather of Kurtis Freeborn, Rylie McNamee, Alexander McNamee, Lorelei Rahbar, Madeleine Rahbar, and Kayla Seaman; brother of Richard (the late Rae) Ellis, John (the late Rosina) Ellis, Catherine (Vince) India, and Thomas (Lynn) Ellis; our dear uncle, cousin, and friend.

William grew up in Aurora, IL and graduated from West Aurora High School in 1968. He was a trombone player in the Purdue University Marching Band, and a member of the graduating class of 1973. He then went on in pursuit of a career in Industrial Engineering, ultimately retiring with Boeing. In his spare time, William enjoyed being a personal pilot. He also took pleasure in bicycling. William was a true engineer building many things throughout his life including a sailboat, paddle board, bee enclosures, clocks, and a prized 1927 Model T Hot Rod.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the American Cancer Society .

Funeral Mass Thursday, June 8, 10:00 AM at St. Martin De Porres Church, 615 Dunn Rd (Hazelwood). Visitation Wednesday, June 7, 4:00 – 8:00 PM at Collier's Funeral Home, 3400 N. Lindbergh Blvd (St. Ann). Interment at St. Mary Cemetery.