William "Bill" H. Ellinger

Ellinger, William Hamilton “Bill”; age 76, died Thursday August 19, 2021 in Flat Rock NC. Bill retired to Ft. Myers, Fl after a lifelong career at General Electric. He was preceded by his parents, Albert and Marie Grooms Ellinger; his son, Jonathan Ellinger; and brother-in-law Jack Kinderdine. Survivors include his wife of 51 years Judy; his son Jefferson Ellinger (Amanda Brookins), daughters Lori (Karl) Stocker and Melissa (Luke) Sweeterman; his sister, Susan Kinderdine; brothers David (Jan) Ellinger and Robert (Sheryl) Ellinger; three grandchildren William Stocker, Julia Sweeterman and Eleanor Stocker.

Bill was passionate about choir at his adopted church, Southwest Baptist Church in Ft. Myers and would sing as often as he could, which would fill his heart with joy. Bill was extremely proud of founding the Sonny Unger Foundation in honor of his dear friend that was killed in Vietnam.

Bill will be remembered by loved ones and friends for his loyalty, compassion and a sense of humor that would resonate with everyone that knew him. Bill had a hugely generous heart and a brilliantly wise, curious mind. More than anything, he will be remembered by all that had the fortune of meeting him for the quiet generosity he would extend, more often than not providing exactly what was needed at that moment.

Bill loved nature and birdwatching. During his retirement Bill spent many hours hiking and wandering through the mountains of North Carolina or enjoying the ocean with his family across North America. He was happiest spending time with family, immediate and extended, sharing stories of adventures grand and mischievous. A dedicated family man, Bill spent hours as a coach and mentor to his children and wrote letters (not email) to his grandchildren weekly. Later in life, vacations with family were the most precious of times for Bill. He would spend hours planning and coordinating these annual events with full itineraries, down to who was responsible for each and every meal. For Bill, home wasn’t a place, home was family, when he was with family he was home. In many ways, this is his legacy which will be carried on by those surviving him and, of course, he is home again now.

Visitation will be Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Fairhaven Church, with the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. Rev. Jim Futrell officiating. Interment will follow the services at David’s Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to Fairhaven Church, 637 E. Whipp Road, Dayton OH. Condolences may be made to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com. In lieu of flowers please consider donating to the Jonathan William Ellinger Memorial Scholarship Fund at give.osu.edu (fund No. 641895).