William Hollis Ehlig

Mr. Ehlig grew up in Louisville graduating from Louisville All Male High School, before entering the University of Louisville where he began his studies in Chemical Engineering. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 to serve his country in the Corps of Engineers. After attending Officer Training School, he served in Alaska as a 1st Lt. as he began building landing strips. His service continued until 1946 when he returned to Louisville to continue his Engineering studies.

While in Alaska he met Victoria Quamme, who was serving in the American Red Cross. When they both returned home they married. Mr. Ehlig graduated from the University of Louisville in 1948 and was immediately employed by the DuPont Company, a company he worked for 38 years. He began his career in the DuPont Plant in LaPorte, transferred to Wilmington to work at the Experimental Plant, from there he and his family moved to Crown Point, Indiana to work at the DuPont East Chicago Plant. His final move for the company was to Baytown where he returned to the LaPorte Plant where he served as a Staff Engineer and remained until his retirement.

Mr. Ehlig was a man of many talents and much energy. He earned his Eagle Scout Award while in school in Louisville. He taught swimming and life saving classes for the Red Cross for many summers in Baytown, he served on the Baytown Emergency Preparedness Committee for many years. He spent many hours working as a Cubmaster and Scoutmaster for the Boy Scouts. While working for the DuPont Company he received his first patent, for the Manufacturing of Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride. He served as a deacon and elder in the Presbyterian Church and taught Sunday School, both to the youth and adults. His love for children was always evident in how his children have lived their lives. He shared his skills with all of his grandchildren in his woodworking shop and sitting on piers teaching them how to fish and crab and sharing wonderful stories of the history of his country. Mr. Ehlig was a man of high moral fiber and ethics. A man his family can always be proud to call husband, father, grandfather, and friend.

Mr. Ehlig was preceded in death by his parents, his first wife, Victoria, and a brother, Bill. He is survived by his wife Beth and his six children: Dr. Christine Ehlig Economides and husband Michael, Holly Ehlig Bartlett, Bill Ehlig and wife Margaret, Peter Ehlig and wife Susan, Lillian Ehlig Wilson and husband Alan, and John Ehlig and wife Karen. He has twelve grandchildren: Alex Economides, Joe Bartlett and his wife Sarah, Alison Ehlig White and husband Brent, Eric Ehlig and wife Paula, Kirk Ehlig, Victoria Ehlig Artripe and husband Monty, Linda Ehlig, Sadie and Deke Wilson, Lauren, Andrew, and David Ehlig. He leaves three great grandchildren, Alexandria and Evan Artripe and Claire White. Mr. Ehlig also leaves three stepchildren: Dr. Morton McPhail and wife Suzanne, Dr. Susan McPhail Wittjen and husband Gaddis, Ray McPhail and wife Margaret. There are four step-grandchildren: Beth and Alex McPhail, and Christopher and Matthew McPhail. He also leaves a nephew, Steve Ehlig of Louisville, KY.

There will be a visitation on Friday, November 14, 2008 at Navarre Funeral Home from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Memorial services will be held at Faith Presbyterian Church, 1715 Market St. on Saturday, November 15, 2008 at 2:00 P.M. followed by a reception and visitation in the Fellowship Hall until 5:00 P.M. There will be a private committal service prior to the Memorial service.

Arrangements are under the direction of Navarre Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 2444 Rollingbrook Dr., Baytown, TX, 77521 (281) 422-8111.