March 24^th, 2017 Charles (Wild Bill) Ellis age 93 years passed away peacefully while sleeping at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico after a long, honorable and fulfilling life. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles Roland Ellis and Helen Heacock Ellis, wife Corinne Lillian McKenzie Ellis (Corky) and brother Roland Ellis. Bill and Corky were high school sweethearts and were married following his return from service in the war. Corky passed away in 1990 after a long, wonderful marriage raising 4 children in Orange Texas. Bill is survived by his beloved Martha of New Mexico, and sons Jim Ellis of California, William C. Ellis of New Mexico and Mark Ellis of Texas and daughter Bonnie Ellis of Washington. Martha and Bill enjoyed 26 years together while hiking, skiing and traveling the world.

Bill Ellis was born and raised in Albuquerque, attended Albuquerque High School where he held track records and worked at both his family’s dairy in the south valley and his father’s ranch in the Jemez Mountains to the north. When the war broke out he joined the U.S. Army, survived the Battle of the Bulge and ended up in Germany where he joined forces with the Russians. During that time he received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in 1945. Bill attended the University of New Mexico from 1946-1950 and graduated in the first class of chemical engineers. His first job as an engineer was with the Bureau of Mines in Pike County, Missouri exploring coal gasification. He was then recruited by DuPont and moved to Orange, Texas where he worked on the production of low and high density polyethylene, nylon and nitrile. During his career he held half a dozen patents with DuPont for inventions including a catalytic converter for industrial use. International projects with the company took Bill to Japan and France for extended periods. He completed his career as a Senior Engineer for DuPont.

His family life included service as a Boy Scout leader, pilot, company Santa Claus, water skiing instructor, fly fishing enthusiast and bird hunter. Bill, Corky and close friends were avid dancers and often added wax to the living room floor and kicked up their heels to big band music. Wild Bill was well known and well liked for his sense of humor and eternally positive attitude in good times and bad. He will be missed immensely.

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