Wayne David "Bill" Ellis, 87

Wayne David "Bill" Ellis went to be with the Lord on Aug. 20, 2013, at the age of 87. Bill was born on March 21, 1926, in Parsons, Kan. He spent his childhood growing up there with his eight brothers and sisters.

In March 1944, at age 17, Bill enlisted in the Marine Corps, where he served his country until July 1946. Bill was there for the Iwo Jima landing, and watched the historic moment when they raised the flag over the island. He finished his service in occupied Japan.

After the war, Bill returned home and married Parsons native, Veva M. Arnall, in June 1947. They were married for 64 years, separated only by Veva’s death in June 2011. Bill spent 35 years in the grocery business, eventually owing his own store, Carl’s Market in Petaluma, Calif. Bill retired in 1992, and moved to Coeur d’Alene to be with his family.

He spent his last year of his life with the wonderful staff and residents of the Bridge at Garden Plaza. Our sincere thanks to them for their loving care and friendship. Bill was a sweetie. He always had a wink and a smile for everyone. He had a big heart and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Bill is survived by his two daughters, Clista Ellis and Trudy Whittenburg (Randy) of Coeur d’Alene; his grandchildren, Robert Christiansen, Heather Lindquist (Steven) and Wesley Whittenburg; his sister, Frances Comer of Texas; brother Edward Ellis of Kansas; and many nieces and nephews who loved him.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, 2013, at Bell Tower Funeral Home in Post Falls. The family would also like to thank the North Idaho Hospice House for their compassion and care of Bill in his last days. If you’d like to remember him, the family would prefer a donation to Hospice.