Willie J. Ellis

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Willie J. "Bill" Ellis, age 85, of Du Quoin and a former resident of Mt. Vernon, died 1:45 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012 at Memorial Hospital of Carbondale.

Willie was born Sept. 5, 1926 in Lilbourn, Missouri the son of John E. and Alice Myrtle (Hicks) Ellis. He first married Edna M. (Crunk) on Sept. 3, 1951 in Piggott, Arkansas; she preceded him in death on Oct. 26, 1990. He later married Lorene (Porro) O&#39;Rourke on Feb. 14, 1993 in Du Quoin, Ill. She survives in Du Quoin.

Willie was a retired electrician from Precision National in Mt. Vernon . He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Du Quoin. He served his Country in the United States Army During WWII. He was a member of the VFW Post 513 and Roy Mitchell American Legion Post 647 in Du Quoin.

He is survived by his wife, Lorene Ellis of Du Quoin; four sons, Danny Ellis of Mt. Vernon, John Ellis and wife Jean of Keenes, Ill., Tom Ellis of Mt. Vernon and Billy Ellis and wife Kathy of Mt. Vernon; daughter, Ruth Ellis of Mt. Vernon; two step-children, David O&#39;Rourke and wife Kathy of Du Quoin and Mary and husband Lester Furlow of Du Quoin and also several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Edna and by his five brothers.

Funeral services were held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon with Brother Melvin "Buck" Larson officiating. Interment followed at Bethel Cemetery Mt. Vernon. Military Honors were provided by the American Legion Post 141 of Mt. Vernon. Visitation was held on Friday from 5-8 p.m. at Newell Funeral Home in Mt. Vernon, Ill.

For those who wish memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or the American Heart Association and will be accepted at the Funeral Home. For more information you may call Newell Funeral Home at 246-0100 or visit at www.newellfuneralhome.com.