Bill was the third son of George Washington Eller and his wife, Charlotte Miller, both of Ohio. He had a twin sister, Lillian Dory (Lillie).

As a young man, Bill lived with his family in McElroy, Tyler, WV. After completing school, he worked as a farm laborer. He entered railroad service at Grafton on May 20, 1906, as a fireman. He was promoted to engineer on Oct. 15, 1910 and worked as both passenger and freight engineer throughout his career.

While still single, in 1910, he purchased a house at 259 Grand St. in Grafton. Bill married Lena Dale Poe in 1911 and they had 9 children: Helen Lynettt, William Carlton, Virginia Dale, Anna Lee, Dorothy Elizabeth, Mary Charlotte, Thelma Lorain, John Carlisle and Ramona Ruth. All of their children were born at home on Grand St., delivered by Dr. Dorsey Peck. Bill and Lena continued to live there until their deaths.

Bill was an avid hunter and fisherman.

OBITUARY

William C. Ellers Sr., 81, 259 Grand Street, Grafton, died at 5 p.m. Saturday in Broaddus Hospital, Philippi. He was born in Tyler County, May 21, 1885, a son of the late George E. and Charlotta Strosnider ellers. His wife, Lena Poe Ellers, is deceased.

Survivors include eight children, William C. Ellers Jr., Mrs. Virginia Dale Hanleiter, Mrs. Anna Lee Brutto, Mrs. Arthur (Dorothy) Snyder, Mrs. Harry L. (Mary) Hanleiter, Mrs. Robert (Ramona) Henderson, all of Grafton; Mrs. Hal (Thelma) Hayes, Baltimore, Md. and Dr. John C. Ellers, Clemson, S. C.; a brother, Emery E. Ellers, and a sister, Mrs. Ada Bolyard, both of Grafton; 17 grandchildren and 20 great grandchildren.

He was a retired Baltimore and Ohio Railroad engineer. He was a member of the First Baptist Church in Grafton and a charter member of the Loyal Order of Moose No. 638, and a member of the B. of L. E. and the B. of L. F. and E., and the B and O Veterans.

Friends may call at the Bartlett Funeral Home where services will be held at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Casper Hanson, presiding minister of the Jehovah's Witnesses, will preside.