Avis de décès de William-A. Ellison

Sept. 15, 1942 - June 19, 2012Master Sgt. (Ret.) William A. "Bill" Ellison left this earth on June 19, 2012, in Rapid City, S.D., at the age of 69. Bill passed away due to head injuries sustained in an accidental fall while on vacation in South Dakota with his wife, Lenora. Bill was born on Sept. 15, 1942, to Ernest Ellison and Vada Johnson Ellison in Greenfield, Ohio. Bill is survived by his wife, Lenora, of Niceville, Fla.; his daughter, Cathy Harding and husband, Ben, of Colorado Springs; his sister, Becky Dewees and husband, Paul, of Greenfield, Ohio; brother, Carl and wife, Syndi, of Arizona; brother, Donnie and wife, Becky, of Columbus, Ohio; brother, Craig, of Greenfield; stepchildren, Ken Revell and wife, Frankie, Lisa Bolton and husband, Kerry, and Jane Rushing and husband, Joe. "Pop-Pop Bill" is also survived by his granddaughter, Gracie; and step-grandchildren, Eric Slifko, Lacy Slifko, Zachary Revell, Morgan Revell, Daniel Demara, Paige Demara and Allison Rushing; as well as step-great-grandson, Carson Allen. Bill was predeceased by his mother and father; and stepfather, Don Anderson; and brother-in-law, Charles Graves.Bill proudly served our country as a member of the U.S. Air Force as a load master, sensor operator on the AC-130A Gunship and as an Air Reserve technician for 32 years, before retiring in 2002. He was the current Commander of American Legion Post 221 in Niceville; a former trustee of AMVETS Post 78 in Valparaiso, Fla.; a former trustee at the Elks Lodge in Valparaiso; as well as a Charter and Life Member of the VFW in Navarre, Fla.As a young man, Bill was involved in drag racing motorcycles and won his division at the Indianapolis Speedway. He was one of the founding members who formed the Guys & Gals Bass Club out of Niceville. He was very involved in the SSR Fanatics (GM Super Sport Roadster). He loved computer gadgets and challenging his grandson, Daniel, on the on-line games and was known as "Spectre Bill." He took great pleasure in sharing his good fortunes with others. Bill never missed an opportunity to contact his dearest friend, Larry Garrison of Ohio, for a bit of teasing. Bill enjoyed listening to 50s and 60s rock and roll. There will be a time of visitation on Sunday, June 24, from 2 to 4 p.m. at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 25, at 10 a.m. at Heritage Gardens Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Heritage Gardens Cemetery.Donations can be made in Bill's name to the USO and will be accepted at American Legion Post 221, 444 John Sims Pkwy. East, Niceville, FL 32578.You may go online to offer condolences to the family and sign the guestbook at www.heritagegardensfuneralhome.com. Heritage Gardens Funeral Home of Niceville is entrusted with the arrangements.