Suffolk - William Ashley Ellis, 83, went home to be with his Lord and Savior May 8, 2012. He was born in Franklin, a son of the late Jessie and Helen Parker Ellis and retired from Askew Nursery where he was a landscaper. He was a member of Open Door Church of Suffolk. He was predeceased by his wife, Dorothy Butler Ellis, a son, Thomas Turner, Jr. and three grandchildren, Kimberly Carter, Petey Bach and Carl Strickland.
Survivors include his five daughters, Vivian Griggs and husband, Roland, Evelyn Whitehead, Ann Tew and husband, Harvey, Brenda Boyce and husband, Tommy, Wanda Rountree and husband, Steve; a son, David Turner and wife, Ann; three brothers, Frank, Charles and Thomas Ellis; 28 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren and 19 great-great-grandchildren.
A celebration of Ashley's life will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 11, 2012 in the chapel of Wright Funeral Home, Franklin, with the Rev. Tony Peaks officiating. Burial will follow in Southampton Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at the home of Steve and Wanda Rountree, 213 Delaney Dr., Suffolk and requests that, in lieu of flowers, memorials be made to Open Door Church of Suffolk, 816 Kings Fork Rd., Suffolk, VA 23434 or your local American Cancer Society.