Howard Houston Ellinger III

1962 - 2011

Howard Houston Ellinger III, 49, of Bedford entered into eternal rest Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Celebration of life: 10 a.m. Friday, Jan. 6, at Pecan Grove Funeral Home, 3124 Robinson Drive, Waco, with David Cozart Officiating. Interment: 2 p.m. in Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery in Killeen. Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be Alan, Kyle and Ryan Ellinger, Travis Burleson, Tyler McCollum and Robbie Roberts. Memorials: For those desiring to make a memorial in Howard's name, please consider Scottish Rite Children's Hospital. Howard was born to Howard and Zola May Ellinger on May 1, 1962. He was raised in Waco and moved to Gastonia, N.C., at the age of 15. He graduated from North Gaston High School and soon joined the United States Army. He served in Germany during his first tour. After serving, he returned to Waco and met and married Linda Livingston. To this union, his daughter, Lindsey, was born. Howard continued to pursue his love for drawing and building by earning a degree in drafting and engineering. He worked for the Texas Department of Highway Transportation and later for private construction contractors. Howard had a great love for his family and friends. More than anything, he cherished being PawPaw to his granddaughter, Kadience Rae. Howard was preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and an infant brother. Survivors: Left to cherish his memory are his daughter, Lindsey Ellinger; Lindsey's fiance, Kris Moore; granddaughter, Kadience Rae; Lindsey's stepmother, Betty Ellinger; very special friends, Debbie Bianchi and Richard and Connie Finch; sisters, Michelle McCollum and Donna Ondrey of Robinson; brother, Alan Ellinger of Pearland; and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and close family friends who will miss Howard dearly.