William Ellison

William "Bill" Ellison, 85, of Hallsville, passed from this life Thanksgiving morning, at home, surrounded by his family. Bill was born January 28, 1928 in Tipton, Missouri, the oldest of 9 children. He graduated from Tipton High School . He served in the Army/ Air Force in Roswell New Mexico (and he never saw a flying saucer) before returning to Missouri to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad. Bill married Opal Mae Porter on March 5th, 1949. They were married for 63 wonderful years. Bill and Opal moved their family to Columbia in 1962, and eventually to Hallsville in 1973. He worked for the University of Missouri as a machinist for 35 years, where he was well known for being able to fix anything. He repaired everything on campus, from the printing press at the Missourian, to the clock at the top of Memorial Union. In addition to his career at the University of Missouri, he was a Residential and Commercial builder and contractor, having built many houses in the Parkade area. For many years he and Opal had a truck farming operation just South of Hallsville, selling strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons and cantaloupes. He and Opal were Antique Dealers operating Ellison's Antiques store. They attending many auctions around Central Missouri and were well known and loved in the antique and auction world. Bill was very thrifty and "tight" but also very generous. If you needed $10, he would be the first to open his wallet and give you $20. He was the patriarch, pillar and rock of his family. He was a true blessing in the lives of his family, and they will miss him immensely. He was simply the best Husband, Brother, Dad, Grandpa and Great-Grandpa you could possibly imagine. His family was everything to him. Bill always enjoyed a good meal and especially dessert. Bill is survived by his wife Opal; two sons, Russell Ellison and wife Debbie of Manchester, MO and David Ellison of Hallsville; two granddaughters, Michelle Gingerich and husband Val of Columbia, and Kat Ellison of Manchester, MO; and two great-grandchildren, who were his "sweeties", Lola and Alex Gingerich. In addition, he is survived by 4 brothers: Donnie Ellison, Lawerence Jewell Ellison, Jimmy Ellison, and Charlie Ellison, and two sisters; Carol Sue Lurten and Joanne Tye. He was preceded in death by an infant son, Emmett Ellison, and a sister, Laura Nell Pohl. In lieu of flowers please provide someone in need with "something good to eat" by donating to the Central Missouri Food Bank 2101 Vandiver Dr, Columbia, MO 65202. Funeral services for Mr. Ellison were Monday, November 26, 2012 at the Meisenheimer Funeral Home in Tipton.