Mr. William C. Ellis, 79

Mr. William C. Ellis, 79, passed away on February 15, 2005. He was born on April 7, 1925, in Malmo, MN. He was a Fallbrook, CA, resident for 31 years.

Mr. Ellis retired after working as an avocado and lemon grove owner in Fallbrook for 30 years. He also owned an auto body repair business in El Monte, CA, for 20 years and was an insurance adjuster for Allstate Insurance. Mr. Ellis was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club & Buck Club of America. He enjoyed vintage cars and carpentry.

Mr. Ellis was preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Maxine C. Ellis, in 2004. He is survived by his son & daughter-in-law William E. & Shirley Ellis, El Cajon, CA; daughter & son-in-law Darlene & Steve Oetgen, Fallbrook, CA; brother Danny Ellis, Madera, CA; sisters Rita Grosso, Pasadena, CA, and Christine Merkel, Colorado; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 18, 2005, from 5-7 p.m. at Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary. Funeral will be Saturday, February 19, at 10 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, with Rev. Mark Demel officiating. Burial will follow the service at Fallbrook Masonic Cemetery, Fallbrook, CA. Berry-Bell & Hall Fallbrook Mortuary handled the arrangements.