William Lee Ellis

For 35 years, William “Lee” Ellis felt himself privileged to be given the task of educating the young middle school students entrusted to his care. The benefits of his dedicated efforts will be felt in those lives for years to come. Lee passed from this earthly life in the peace of his home on October 31, 2014. Lee was born in Newnan and was the son of the late Dr. William Yates Ellis and Ida Lee Ellis. He was educated in the Newnan Public schools and chose Emory at Oxford for his first college experience. He went on to The University of Georgia for Bachelor’s and Master’s in Political Science. During the 32 years that he taught in the Marion County School System, he also did graduate work at MTSU. He was twice named Marion County’s Middle School Teacher of the Year and also The Conservation Teacher of the Year. Lee believed in being fully engaged in his community. He was associated with the Jaycees and was named their Young Man of the Year. He was chairman of the board for The March of Dimes and through his involvement with The Lions Club, he was able to help young people obtain eyeglasses. His love of books and their importance in education led him to service on The Marion County Library Board. The last year of Lee’s teaching experience was in Coweta County after retiring from Marion County. Lee is survived by his wife Janet Davis Ellis. His children are Janet Lee (and husband Hamilton) Whaley; Dub (and wife Tammy) Ellis. He was a proud grandfather to Caroline Whaley, Hamilton Whaley and Kinsey Ellis. Other survivors include his mother-in-law Allilee Davis and his siblings Frank Ellis and Frances Lunsford. His nieces and nephews are Terry Chadwick, Scott Lunsford, Tim Davis, Patrick Davis and Rob Davis. Memories of Lee’s exemplary life will be shared by Dr. Joel E. Richardson at the funeral service to be held on Sunday, November 2, 2014 at 3:00 PM in the McKoon chapel at 38 Jackson Street in Newnan. The family will receive friends beginning at 2:00 PM. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Central Baptist Church, The Winship Cancer Institute at Emory University or The Gentiva Hospice Foundation. The dedicated staffs at Winship and Gentiva have been a blessing to Lee’s family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.mckoon.com.

William Lee Ellis

April 21, 1943 - October 31, 2014