Bill (Billie Joe) Ellingsworth had a gift for weaving life’s experiences (big and small) into unforgettable stories, often told with a chuckle; including when the joke was on him.
Bill was born September 5, 1931, in Galloway, Missouri the elder son of Raymond and Agnes Ellingsworth. He served his country in the US Navy during the Korean War, followed by four years as a US Army Reservist.
He married the love of his life, Norma Popejoy, on March 19, 1951. Daughter, Cheri Lynn was born in October of 1952 and son, David Glenn in October, 1954. Bill is also survived by his brother Bob, grandson Chris O’Hara and his wife, Mandie of Republic, and granddaughter, Mindy Ellingsworth of Springfield. Bill and Norma’s great-grandchildren are Lauren and Austin O’Hara of Republic and Cayley Ledbetter of Rogersville.
A lifelong St. Louis Cardinal’s baseball fan, Bill played softball for many years in the Springfield area. He was active in the Boy Scouts of America, locally and nationally, for decades. He literally raised the roof on the then-new Galloway Baptist Church, becoming a deacon, and with Norma, a faithful member of the church for fifty plus years.
Bill and Norma’s careers as hotel/motel managers took the family from Alabama to Mississippi, Tennessee and Texas. Meeting Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant in Tuscaloosa made Bill a devoted fan of Alabama’s Crimson Tide and he had the “Roll Tide” license plate frames and window-stickers to prove it too.
Bill passed from this life on April 21, 2011 but for seventy-nine years touched the hearts of loved ones, dear friends, and countless folks he swapped stories with, prayed with and for, and shared his deep and abiding faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. For those fortunate enough to have known this good man, he will be missed.
A visitation will be on Monday, April 25, 2011 from 6 to 8 pm at Greenlawn South Funeral Home. Burial will be at Missouri Veterans Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Scout Service Center, Boy Scouts of America, 1616 S. Eastgate Ave. Springfield, MO. 65809.
Online condolences can be made at www.greenlawnfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home South.