Selwyn Hale "Bill" Ellis

Bill was born to William Litle Ellis III and Marie Dowdle on August 10, 1933, in New Hope, Mississippi. He was a 1950 graduate of New Hope High School, where he lettered in football and basketball. He went on to further his education at Mississippi Community College in Scooba, Mississippi.

In January 1953, Bill was 19 when he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his military service, he was trained in airplane mechanics and engineering. This is where he fell in love with piloting planes.

Along the way, Bill met the love of his life, Donna Myrick, in 1961 and eventually relocated to Andalusia, Alabama. He worked as a flight instructor, teaching primary and instruments to Rotary Wing Pilots at Fort Rucker U.S. Army Aviation.

During Bill's diverse career as an air pilot, he accumulated over 37,000 air hours in both fixed and rotary wing.

In his leisure, Bill enjoyed playing golf and dancing. He enjoyed life and loved having a good time with his family and friends. He was a member of the Baptist Church of Andalusia, the local Mounted Deputies, and the Alcazar Shriners.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, William Litle Ellis III and Marie Dowdle Ellis; his wife of 56 years, Donna Myrick Ellis; siblings, Willodeen Ellis Hollinsworth (Woodrow), Lorean Ellis Allen (Kenneth), and William Litle Ellis IV (Cora); and his son-in-law, Neil Bailey.

Bill leaves behind his sister-in-law, Elenore Ellis; children, Selwyn Hale Ellis Jr. (Corina) and Shawnna Ellis Bailey; grandchildren, Natalia Ellis Schiltz (Kyle), Francessca Ellis Barikos (Alan), and Hannah and Justin Harmon; and three great-grandchildren, Katarina, Anya, and Emilia.

Bill’s family will greet friends from 9-10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18, 2025 at Ridout's Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama.

Following the visitation, the family will travel to Beersheba Cumberland Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 1736 Beersheba Road, Columbus, MS 39702 for a graveside service that will begin at 1:30 p.m. All friends are welcome to attend the graveside. Pallbearers will include Ken Allen, Alan Barikos, Steve Ellis, Bishop Gallahan, David Gallahan, Irish Gallahan, Justin Harmon, and Kyle Schiltz.