Willis (Willie) Earling Ellis, 77

Willie was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota on May 16, 1941 to William (Bill) Ellis and Laura (Dolly) Sheldon. His sister, Donna (Bonnie) Berneman joined the family shortly after. He moved to the Silver Valley around 1951 where he attended school in Wallace.

He worked hard in many occupations which included maintaining hiking trails, mechanics, carpentry, mining and logging. He was a jack-of-all-trades who could build and fix anything. He was a proud member of the NRA and the Republican party. His sense of humor and quick wit was like none other. He loved the outdoors, had a passion for hunting, fishing, gardening, gold panning and woodworking. Willie had a loving heart and a wild soul. He will be painfully missed but fondly remembered.

Willie is preceded in death by his loving parents, Ralph and Dolly Folden and Bill Ellis; son, Willy Ellis; daughter, Tuesday Ellis; and niece, Christine Ptasznik. He is survived by his sister Bonnie and brother-in-law Dick Berneman; son, Jody Ellis; son Rocky and daughter-in-law Janet Ellis; daughter Sonya Emerson; daughter Cindy and son-in-law Jeremiah Freer; grandsons, Jamie, Cole and Chase Ellis and Kyson Freer; granddaughters, Lisa Estrada, Hailey Parker and Brooklynn Freer; great-grandsons, Dominic Estrada and Camdyn Parker and great-granddaughter, Aaliyah Estrada.

A Celebration of Life for Willie will be a potluck from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, 2018 at the West Shoshone Park in Pinehurst, Idaho.

The family suggests that in lieu of flowers and gifts, please donate to the Schneidmiller Hospice House, 2290 W. Prairie Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho 83815. The comfort and compassion provided by the staff of North Idaho Hospice in Willie’s last days on Earth will never be forgotten.

Please visit Willie’s online guest book at www.shoshonefuneralservice.com

SHOSHONE FUNERAL SERVICES & CREMATORY is entrusted with cremation services.