obit-thumbnail

William R. Ellis Jr.

April 19, 1950 - June 21, 2024
candle-small flame
Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service
candle-small flame
Raymond Vincent Thomas
candle-small flame
Aalayah Muhammad
candle-small flame
Nancy Howard Howell
candle-small flame
Rose Wilcher
candle-small flame
Gwendolyn Hayes and Dorothy Coleman
candle-tall flame
Sue Hoisten
candle-tall flame
Patricia Gauthier Lee
candle-tall flame
Renee Greene
candle-tall flame
Raymond VINCENT Thomas
candle-tall flame
VonCeil Crenshaw
candle-tall flame
Raymond Vincent Thomas
Light a Candle
flowers
Flowers & Gifts

Arrangements starting at $35

memorial-donation-graphic
Charity Donations

Make a Memorial Donation

Visitation
Centenary United Methodist Church
1310 Superior Ave.
Akron, OH 44320
330-376-9648 | Map
Friday 7/5, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Service
Centenary United Methodist Church
1310 Superior Ave.
Akron, OH 44320
330-376-9648 | Map
Friday 7/5, 12:00 pm
Charity
Make a Memorial Donation
Donate Now

A native of Springfield, Ohio, born on April 19, 1950, William R. Ellis, Jr. was called to be with the Lord on June 21, 2024, at Akron City Summa Hospital. Willam, or Bill as he preferred to be called, was the oldest of four children from William R. Ellis Sr. and Rosemary (Johnson) Ellis.  HeContinue Reading

Raymond Vincent Thomas left a message on August 28, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Raymond Vincent Thomas lit a candle
Stiles family left a message on August 11, 2024:
bill was such a nice friendly sweet helpfully smart man I wanted to tell the family am sorry for your lost
Aalayah Muhammad left a message on July 6, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Aalayah Muhammad lit a candle
Nancy Howard Howell left a message on July 6, 2024:
Rest On "Big Brother Bill"Of Omega Phi Psi 💜💛😇😘
Rose Wilcher left a message on July 5, 2024:
Sending prayers to the family. He left a great impact on all of Northeastern Ohio. He will be missed but his legacy will continue.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Gwendolyn Hayes and Dorothy Coleman left a message on July 5, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Gwendolyn Hayes and Dorothy Coleman lit a candle
Yanick Rice Lamb left a message on July 5, 2024:
My prayers and condolences for the Ellis family. Bill loved his family, your reunions, the community and journalism immensely. I enjoyed our conversations, and I greatly appreciate his support of my work and my students at Howard University.
Jimmy & Beverly Valrie..Snellville , GA left a message on July 5, 2024:
We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Bill. He was such a nice man and great person..He and his wife would visit us frequently in our home when he was in Atlanta..He will be greatly missed.. Our condolences and prayers to his family 🙏🙏🙏
Pastor and Mrs. Paul Jackson, Jr. left a message on July 4, 2024:
"We extend our heartfelt condolences. His legacy of compassion and selflessness will continue to inspire us all." His passion for both his work and his community was truly remarkable.
Jacqueline Thomason left a message on July 2, 2024:
Remembering the life and legacy of a pioneer journalist. Bill was always willing and ready to help me and my former law partner, Attorney Lynda Harvey Williams, jump start our legal careers.He often published articles about us and our law practice in The Reporter Newspaper. Oftentimes he did this gratuitously. Bill was indeed a legend in the newspaper industry. Rest in peace, my friend. Jacqueline Thomason
Kimberly & Jimmy Brown & Family left a message on July 1, 2024:
To the Family, Sorry to hear passing, He will be always remembered #1 Reporter.
Sue Hoisten left a message on June 30, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Sue Hoisten lit a candle
Precious Price left a message on June 30, 2024:
Mr. Ellis was always so pleasant patient and kind. He always wanted to talk about the newspaper and encouraged us as children all the time. He will be sorely missed.
Patricia Gauthier Lee left a message on June 30, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Patricia Gauthier Lee lit a candle
Renee Greene left a message on June 28, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Renee Greene lit a candle
Raymond VINCENT Thomas left a message on June 28, 2024:
William Jr. @ I tried to call u Bruh, @ u know, you Raymond "VINCENT", wow what a compliment, one, if not the very Most intelligent persons here in his birthplace, AKRON, Summit Cty of OHIO, USA. IT IS MY HOPE TO CELEBRATE YOUR LIFE HERE THE HONOR DUE! Bill, should be a huge, celebration about your life here n Akron all about BLACK press initially & continuously going 4wrd with GOD, the Glorious ONE, Aint i wonderful to be there with him Bill, Hallelujah to you, Brother. wow, please Help, Byron & Preston Ray T here, Email : rvtforty@yahoo.com, cell, mobile, text # accessible, available is 330-690-5427, or 330-701-3426 Ray THOMAS here, should be Honoring the biggest homecoming celebration in our city, AKRON OH. Feel free to reach ne, Ray here
Robert Hunt left a message on June 27, 2024:
William Ellis, Jr. Is one truly to be honored for his vision, his kindness and his passion for the Reporter Newspaper and his family. May God continue to bless his soul for all he gave to make the Reporter Newspaper a success! Robert Hunt
Kandi Smith left a message on June 27, 2024:
My prayers and thoughts are with the Ellis family. He was a childhood friend and classmate. Class of ‘68 South High Youngstown Ohio. I totally enjoyed reconnecting with him at our 55th reunion last year. We continued to stay in touch! He will be truly missed 🙏🏽💕
Judith Lynn Lee left a message on June 27, 2024:
I am saddened at the passing of my dear friend and co-worker William Ellis, Jr. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to share your world in journalism as your Photojournalist. Until we meet again.
VonCeil Crenshaw left a message on June 27, 2024:
My deepest condolences to the family along with prayers for their dearly departed father, grandfather, brother and uncle William R. Ellis Jr., fondly known to me as “Billy.” Our very last time spent together was meaningful and memorable as we paid graveside honor and respect to your parents, the Reverends William Sr. and Rosemary Ellis just last August. Now you join them both and your wife Florida in the hereafter. Peace now Billy and strength, courage and wisdom to the devoted family you left behind.
Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.
Raymond Vincent Thomas left a message on June 26, 2024:
Rest well in heavenly peace, wow just saw u @ the MartinL. King Jr Series @ the Main Public Library! Wow! Rest in Heavenly Peace with the LORD, God, Almighty, along with my Mom, MS. Flora M. Thomas, wow Bill. I'm already missing u both, but continuously blessed you both are with the Lord, Only GOD!😇😇
Raymond "Vincent" Thomas left a message on June 26, 2024:
In memory of William R. Ellis Jr., Raymond "Vincent" Thomas lit a candle
condolence-image Calhoun Funeral Home & Cremation Service left a message:
Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.
Show More