ELLIS LEONARD CLARENCE WILLIAMS

Ellis Leonard Clarence Williams, of Fort Frances, Ont., passed away Monday, Jan. 16, 2012 at Rainycrest Long-Term Care in Fort Frances with his family at his side.
Ellis was born Wednesday, April 22, 1931 in Rainy River, Ont. to Warren and Mary Williams.
During his early years, he lived in Patullo Township on the family farm. After the death of his father in 1943, Ellis and his mother moved to Fort Frances, where he attended St. Mary’s School.
At the age of 16, Ellis left school and went to work for a local bakery until he obtained employment with the Deptartment of Highways. He worked with the DHO (later Ministry of Transportation Ontario) for 37 years, starting on the survey crew and later as patrolman and equipment operator.
Following his retirement from MTO, he worked as a grader operator, and later drove the mail truck between Fort Frances and Thunder Bay.
His final job was delivering papers in Fort Frances.
Ellis was an active member of the Royal Canadian Legion Br. #29, the International Order of Oddfellows Cascade Lodge #351, and the local militia for four years. He also loved to fish and hunt with his many friends and family.
To his great-nieces and great-nephews, he was a gentle giant when they were young.
Ellis was predeceased by his parents; brother, Myron and sister-in-law, Marge Williams; sister, Muriel and brother-in-law, Carl Thesenvitz; niece, Jeanne Pollard; great-nieces, Tracy Zub and Rhonda Dewar; and nephews-in-law, Walter Strain and Roy Zub.
He is survived by his nieces and nephews, Warren (Janet) Williams, Joyce Zub, and Hazel Strain, all of Fort Frances, Ont., Garry (Mary) Thesenvitz of North Branch, Ont., Dayton (Doris) Thesenvitz of Lacombe, Alta., and Lorraine (John) Ponse of Nanaimo, B.C. and their families.
A celebration Ellis’ life for family and friends will be held Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Royal Canadian Legion in Fort Frances.
Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 29 “Colour Party” will act as the Honour Guard.
The honourary pallbearers will be all of Ellis’ family and friends.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Tamarack House c/o Green Funeral Home, P.O. Box 427, Fort Frances, Ont., P9A 3M8.
Online condolences may be offered at www.greenfuneralhomefortfrances.com