Willard Melville Ellis

Willard Melville Ellis: Willard passed away Monday afternoon at Northern Mahaska Nursing and Rehab. at the age of 87 years, 7 months and 23 days. Willard's family includes his son, Kevin of Oskaloosa; a granddaughter, Jennifer (Patrick) Kokke of Des Moines; a grandson, Craig (Emily) Bahnsen of Des Moines; a great granddaughter, Greta Naomi Bahnsen; a sister, Wilma Ballinger of Cleveland, Ohio; and two brothers: Bob (Elizabeth) Ellis of Oskaloosa and Ernie (Jerry) Ellis of Des Moines. Willard Melville Ellis, son of Melville C. and Mary Chilton Ellis, was born January 7, 1923 in Givin, Iowa. He was a 1941 graduate of Oskaloosa High School and then studied at Rice University in Houston, Texas for one year. Willard worked in the area coal mines for a brief time before entering the Army Air Corps on February 3, 1943. He served in the Pacific Theater as an airplane & engine mechanic. His squadron was stationed on Luzon when MacArthur returned and liberated the Philippians. He was discharged December 31, 1945. Willard returned to Oskaloosa where he worked for the Iowa State Fire Marshall's office. August 4, 1951, he married Naomi Jean Faulkner. In 1966 Willard began his career with the Oskaloosa Fire Department and in 1974 was promoted to Fire Chief. Willard served at the fire department for 30 years, retiring in 1986. At that time he assumed the post of Mahaska County Magistrate, a position he held until 1996. Willard worked as a security guard at Clow Valve and lastly served as a greeter at Wal-Mart. He retired in 2007. Willard served on the Mahaska County Commission of Veterans Affairs from 1961 ? 2004 and served for a brief time as interim Director of Veterans Affairs. Willard was a member of Central United Methodist Church where he served as an usher for many years. He was also a member of Triluminar and Council Masonic Lodges; the American Legion, where he served for many years as the Service Officer and the V.F.W. He also served for several years as a member of the Honor Guard. He served on the Red Cross Board and assisted in several disaster relief missions. In his free time, Willard enjoyed his large garden and just being outdoors. Besides his parents, Willard was preceded in death by his wife, Noami on August 17, 2008; his son, Keith; his daughter, Karen and three brothers: Howard and John and an infant brother, Marion Price Ellis. PDF Printable Version

Willard Melville Ellis

January 7, 1923 - August 30, 2010