Willard Ellis

Willard Earl Ellis was born March 26, 1944, in Holyoke. His parents were Francis William Ellis and Ethel Caroline Claire (Struempler) Ellis. He died Feb. 8, 2023.

He lived in and around Holyoke all his life. He rode the bus to school in Holyoke and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1962. He then attended Southern Colorado State College in Pueblo. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1963 and served for four years, including one tour of duty in Vietnam. 

After discharge, he worked for a few months in the Texas oil fields and then returned to Holyoke. He worked at several companies in the agriculture service field (Reimer-Smith Co., Holyoke Co-op, Corn Inc. and finally Heartland Ag). He married Sharrie Aydelott (Kent) in 1973. To this union, one child was born, Damon Ellis. 

Willard is survived by sons Damon Ellis and Debbie Allen and Troy Kent, grandchildren Andrew Kent and wife Alexis and Kaitlyn McCallum and husband Wyatt, and brother Edward Ellis and Barbara Neal.

The funeral service was held Feb. 14 at Baucke Funeral Chapel, with interment at Holyoke Cemetery.

Baucke Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements.