July 21, 1922 - March 22, 2008

William "Bill" Scott Ellis, 85, of Lebanon died Saturday at his home.

Bill was born in Bonners Ferry, Idaho, the son of Willard and Nancy (Scott) Ellis. He moved to Lebanon when he was 3 years old. Bill graduated from Lebanon High School in 1940 and was a member and the MVP of the 1940 Lebanon High School state championship baseball team. Bill then attended Linfield College on a baseball scholarship.

When World War II began, Bill entered the Army. He served with the 39th Portable Surgical Hospital and was stationed at Guadalcanal and in the Philippines. Following his discharge, he returned to the Lebanon area and played semi-professional baseball for the Gustina Reds in Eugene. Bill married Nelita Nathele Austin on Feb. 14, 1947, in Lebanon. They continued to reside in Lebanon, where Bill worked for Champion Plywood until his retirement in 1983.

Bill was a member of the American Legion Santiam Post 51 and a lifetime member of the Lebanon Elks Lodge. He enjoyed fishing, hunting and working in his filbert orchard.

He is survived by wife Nelita of Lebanon; daughters Valerie Fetter of Albany and Janna Sanders of Lebanon; sons Jason of Lebanon and Brian of Lebanon; brother Donn Ellis of Lebanon; eight grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren. A grandson, Jon Fetter, and sister Dorothy Kenyon preceded him in death.

Viewing will be from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Huston-Jost Funeral Home. A funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Southside Church of Christ. Burial will follow at the Rock Hill Cemetery in Lebanon.

Contributions in his memory may be made to Samaritan Evergreen Hospice in care of Huston-Jost Funeral Home, 86 W. Grant St., Lebanon, OR 97355 (www.hustonjost.com).