Bill Ray Ellis

Marlow: Billy Ray Ellis, 86, passed away Monday, October 10, 2022 in Marlow.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 AM, Friday, October 14, 2022, at the First Baptist Church in Marlow, with Dr. Joe Ligon officiating. Burial will be in the Marlow Cemetery under the direction of Callaway-Smith-Cobb Funeral and Cremation Services in Marlow.
Billy Ray Ellis was born August 9th, 1936 to Jessie and Annie Ellis. He was the youngest of three children. He passed from this life at the age of 86, on Monday, October 10, 2022. He was raised on the family farm and attended eight years of education in the country school near his home, then attended Stilwell High School in Stilwell, OK, where he graduated in May 1954. He accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior at the age of fifteen and was baptized by the Freewater Baptist church, route 4, Stilwell, OK.
After graduating from high school in May 1954, he joined the United States Air Force in August 1954 and served 20 years and 9 days, retiring in August 1974. He received many awards and decorations. He received the Air Force Commendation medal twice for outstanding service.
Bill married his high school sweetheart, Mary Jo Parsons, on May 3, 1956. They were happily married for 66 years. From this union came one daughter, Cathy Jo Ellis Boyles and one son, Billy Lee Ellis. 5 grandsons, Preston Heath Boyles, Alex Wade Boyles, Sam Tyler Boyles, Jesse Lee Ellis, and Jared Ray Ellis. And by marriage 3 granddaughters, Lindsey Boyles, Ashely Boyles, and Jenna Boyles, and 12 great-grandchildren, Lane Boyles, Karter Boyles, Brock Boyles, Layla Boyles, Parker Boyles, Porter Boyles, Paxtyn Boyles, Pacer Boyles, Enlynn Ellis, Jaim Ellis, Jet Ellis, and Raeson Ellis. He loved his family with all of his heart and was very happy with all the great joy they brought to his life. Bill was also blessed with his wife's family, The Parsons.
The Lord blessed him by calling him into the Gospel Ministry in 1973 where he served until his retirement in 2016. He served churches in Missouri and Oklahoma. He considered it a great blessing that the Lord allowed him to pastor and was blessed by so many great Christian people.
He graduated from Oklahoma Missionary Baptist College in Marlow with a Bachelor's degree in Christian Education in 1977 and with a Bachelor's degree in pastoral ministries in 1991. He taught part time at Oklahoma Missionary Baptist College for 8 years and served as Register from 1990-1992. Bill also graduated from Southwestern Oklahoma State University in Weatherford, OK with a Master's degree in education in 1980.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Ellis of the home, daughter, Cathy Jo Boyles and her husband Ron of Marlow, son, Billy Lee Ellis and wife Stacie of Marlow; grandchildren, Heath and Lindsey Boyles of Marlow, Wade and Ashely Boyles of Ada, Tyler and Jenna Boyles of Marlow, Jesse Ellis of Marlow, and Jared Ellis of Marlow; great-grandchildren, Parker Boyles, Lane Boyles, Brock Boyles, Karter Boyles, Paxtyn Boyles, Lyla Boyles, Pacer Boyles, Enlynn Ellis, Jaim Ellis, Jett Ellis, and Raeson Ellis; sister, Elvia Jean Baird of Stilwell; sister-in-law, Dortha Woods and husband Wayne of Tulsa; numerous nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and Annie Ellis, brother, Chester Ellis, grandparents, mother and father-in-law, Joe and Josie Parsons, several sisters and brothers-in-law, and great-grandson, Porter Boyles.
Pallbearers will be Bill's grandsons: Heath Boyles, Wade Boyles, Tyler Boyles, Jesse Ellis, and Jared Ellis.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Bill's great-grandsons.
Online condolences may be made to www.CallawaySmithCobb.com