Obituary for William “Bill” Jackson Ellis James 1:2-3 “Consider it a great joy, my brothers, whenever you experience various trials, knowing the testing of your faith produces endurance”. William Jackson “Bill” Ellis, 73, of Jonesborough was born on March 15, 1945 and went home to be with the Lord Sunday, July 1, 2018 at his residence surrounded by his family. Bill was a Jonesborough native and graduated from Lamar School in 1962.
He attended Brevard College in Florida and entered the U.S. Air Force in 1964, where he proudly served his country in Vietnam and Thailand. Bill worked for most of his adult life in telecommunications in Europe and the United States and returned to Tennessee in the late 1980’s to take care of his aging parents on their farm in Jonesborough. Bill was a member of Bethel Church of Christ in Jonesborough, where he was baptized in 2006 by Preacher Terry Lyons of Roan Mountain.
Although he became a Christian late in life, he Loved the Lord and always tried to keep joy in his heart and life. Bill married his best friend and the love of his life in 2008 and often joked to his friends that he allowed her to continue to work so he could afford to farm. He retired in 2010 from CenturyLink after more than twenty years of service and continued to farm as long as he was able.
Bill was greatly admired for his knowledge and expertise in the telecommunications field but he will be most remembered for his great sense of humor, wit, and generosity. Bill is preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Laura Ellis, his mama, Wilma Ellis, as well as three sisters, and one brother. Those left to cherish his memory are his beloved wife and caregiver, Alice Julia Ellis, of the home, son, William Charles Ellis, of Jonesborough, daughter, Caroline Paige Ellis-Goins (Jason), of Jonesborough, granddaughters, Sabra and Shalein Ellis, of Jonesborough, grandson, Hayden Bower, of Johnson City, Bill’s extended family, daughter, Tina Lee McInturff (Mark), of Johnson City, grandsons, Caleb and Jacob McInturff, of Johnson City, granddaughter, Sarah Balance (GT), of Jonesborough, sisters, Margaret Sepello, of Jonesborough, Jeanne Bishop, of Pigeon Forge, Lynda Ellis, of Port St. John, FL, Barbara Edmiston, of Kingsport, and many nieces and nephews.
Julia would like to extend a special thank you to the Mountain Home VA, the VA Home Based Primary Team, and Amedisys Hospice Team for their exceptional care of Bill in his battle with Parkinsons Disease and, to the staff of Home Instead, especially caregiver, Jessica Vosburg. A big thanks to Tina, Sarah, GT, Megan, and Jonathan for answering those early and late calls, to Lynda for the many long drives to visit, to Carroll Sparks for fixing fences and putting up hay, to Jerry Baker, for helping work cattle and put up strays, to Keith Bailey and Mark McInturff for helping with the cattle, to Jerry Brewer for the great wheelchair ramp, to Larry Benfield for getting rid of the groundhogs, and to our dearest friends, Tim and Laura Hodge for their devotion to Bill and exceptional care of the farm for so many years. In lieu of flowers the family ask that donations be sent to Second Harvest Food Bank 1020 Jericho Drive Kingsport TN 37663.
The family will gather to greet friends and share memories on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 5:00 pm until a Celebration of Bill’s Life at 7:00 pm in the Sunrise Chapel of Tetrick Funeral Services Johnson City with Pastor Terry Lyons officiating. A Graveside and Committal Service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday at Washington County Memory Gardens. Family and friends will serve as pallbearers.
Everyone is asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 am on Friday. Memories and condolences may be shared at www. tetrickfuneralhome.com.
Tetrick Funeral Services 3001 Peoples Street Johnson City TN 37604 (423-610-7171) is honored to serve the Ellis family. This obituary was lovingly written by the Ellis family. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of William “Bill” Jackson Ellis please visit our Sympathy Store.
Upcoming Events Visitation 2018 JUL 5. 05:00 PM – 07:00 PM Tetrick Funeral Services 3001 Peoples Street Johnson City, TN, US, 37604 Order Flowers for the Visitation Guaranteed delivery before William “Bill”‘s Visitation begins. Celebration of Life 2018 JUL 5.
07:00 PM Tetrick Funeral Services 3001 Peoples Street Johnson City, TN, US, 37604 Order Flowers for the Celebration of Life Guaranteed delivery before William “Bill”‘s Celebration of Life begins. Graveside 2018 JUL 6. 11:00 AM Washington County Memory Gardens P. O. Box 3830 Johnson City, TN, US Order Flowers for the Graveside Service Guaranteed delivery before William “Bill”‘s Graveside Service begins.
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