Earl Ellis

Earl William (Bill) Ellis, 87, of Chugwater, passed away March 22 at Cheyenne Regional Medical Center from complications of kidney disease. Mr. Ellis was born May 18, 1923 in Cheyenne to Francis Vickers and Jessie May (Marsh) Ellis. He spent his childhood years in Eaton, CO and then Torrington, WY. He graduated from Torrington High School in 1941. An athlete who played basketball and football and ran track in high school, Bill attended the University of Wyoming on an athletic scholarship, playing basketball for the legendary coach Ev Shelton. He was also a member of Sigma Nu fraternity and served as a student senator. In 1943, Bill's ROTC unit was called to active duty and he served in the 65th Infantry Division during World War II. A tech sergeant in charge of a four man mortar team, his division marched across Germany and Austria, helping to secure the Allied victory in Europe. After returning from the service in 1946, Bill came home to the Marsh and Ellis Ranch and was actively involved in the work and management of the ranch until his death. Bill's ranching experience began after his father's death in 1932, when he started spending much of his childhood on the Yoder and Marsh family ranches on Bear Creek. At age eleven, Bill started helping his Uncle Earl Marsh put up hay by driving a stacker team. This early experience led to a lifetime ranching partnership, first with his Uncle Earl and then continuing with his son, Philip. On December 10, 1948, Bill married Patty Davis from Springfield, Missouri, who had come to teach at Chugwater High School in the fall of 1947. Bill and Pat spent almost all of their 62 years together at the ranch and were involved in the Chugwater community. In 2007, they moved to Cheyenne for health reasons. Even though unable to do the physical work that he loved, Bill kept involved in the business of the ranch by reading the livestock papers and watching the video markets. Bill was always interested in people-both family and friends. He was a good listener and encourager, sharing his humor and common sense with others. Bill made new friends wherever he went. He was a member of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, the American Legion, and the Chugwater Valley Church. Bill is survived by his wife Pat; his son, Philip M. Ellis and wife, Joy, of Chugwater; his daughter Carolyn Nix and husband, Tim, of Wheatland; and daughter Susan Mathews and husband, Bill, of Anchorage, AK. He is also survived by eight grandchildren: Amanda Ellis(Mark) Pollard, Sarah Ellis(Sam) Booth, Laura Nix (Derek) Nevins, Carrie Nix, Jacob (Jerah) Nix, Paul Nix, Grant Mathews, Katie Mathews, and one great grandchild, Lincoln Ellis Pollard. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, F. Vickers (Vic) Ellis and his uncle and aunt, Earl and Marjorie Marsh. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 30th from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Schrader's Funeral Home. A Graveside Service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 2nd at Lakeview Cemetery followed by a Memorial Service at 2:30 p.m. at the Chugwater Valley Church with Pastor Mike Baber officiating. Memorials may be sent to the Chugwater Valley Church, PO Box 23, Chugwater, WY 82210 or the Community Thrift Store for Dialysis Patients, 866 Gilchrist, Wheatland, WY 82201.

Service

Saturday, April 2, 2011 2:30pm

Chugwater Valley Church

115 3rd Street

CHUGWATER, WY 82210

Visitation

Wednesday, March 30, 2011 8:00am - 8:00pm

Schrader Funeral Home

2323 Carey Avenue

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Interment

Lakeview Cemetery

Pershing Blvd

CHEYENNE, WY 82001

Graveside interment service will be 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 2, 2011 at Lakeview Cemetery.