William Gordon "Bill" Ellis

William Gordon "Bill" Ellis, 63, son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, and friend, died on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at his home in Quinnesec. He was born on Feb. 25, 1953 in Iron Mountain. Bill graduated from Kingsford High School. He was a millwright for many places, most recently for Cliffs Natural Resources, where he retired from in 2014. Bill was the most generous man with his time and love. He was always the guy that helped others without hesitation. With just a phone call, Bill would stop what he was doing and go help his friends and family in need. He was a "Jack of all trades" and his knowledge and skills in home repairs benefitted many. He was always willing to make and share his famous pierogies, even though making them was a long process. Bill's unconditional love for his family, friends, and neighbors was overwhelming. He always greeted you with a hug and a huge "Heeeey" and left you with a hug (even if he was in his boxers)! His greatest love was for his wife, Kathy Kuehn Ellis, whom he married on May 20, 1977 in Iron Mountain. Bill and Kathy enjoyed many things together throughout their thirty-nine years of marriage. In the beginning, they loved going to concerts and having block parties with all the neighborhood families. They enjoyed their favorite vacation destination, Jamaica, which seemed to live within them. In their most recent retirement years, Bill and Kathy loved spending their mornings with coffee, walking their dogs, gardening, nature, and spending quality time together. Bill was a devoted father and grandfather. He always provided guidance, passed no judgment, supported, and showed family what unconditional love really meant. He was so proud of his two sons Bob and Brian, and the men they became. He especially loved becoming a grandparent and was his grandchildren's biggest supporter. He truly was an inspiration. Bill is survived by his mother, Patricia Ellis of Kingsford, his wife Kathy Ellis of Quinnesec, two sons Robert "Bob" (Julie) Ellis of Midland and Brian (Sue) Ellis of Iron Mountain, three grandchildren Brittany Brooks of Lake Ann, MI, Tanner (Bryce) Chouinard of Eglin A.F.B., and Shannon Chouinard of Iron Mountain, two brothers Jeff (Jane) Ellis of Iron Mountain, and Perry (Cheryl) Ellis of Kingsford, two sisters Kathy Peterson of Iron Mountain and Cindy Grailer of Haw River, NC, one sister-in-law Karen Kuehn Puestow of Milwaukee, and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father Gordon Ellis on August 7, 2016, his mother and father-in-law Clara Heller and William Kuehn, six brothers-in-law Robert "Bob" Peterson, Daniel Grailer, Terrance "Butch" Burby, Keith Kuehn, Duane Kuehn, and Steven Kuehn, and a sister-in-law Karla Ellis. A celebration of Bill's life will be held today, October 22, 2016 beginning at 2pm at the home of his son and daughter-in-law Brian and Sue Ellis at 601 East Grant Street Iron Mountain. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the American Federation for Suicide Prevention. Condolences to the family of William "Bill' Ellis may be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com. The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home with the arrangements.

William Gordon "Bill" Ellis

February 25, 1953 - October 20, 2016