William "Ozzie" Ellison

Bluefield, WV- William Oswell “Ozzie” Ellison, 90, of Bluefield, WV, died Saturday April 9, 2011 at Westwood Center in Bluefield, VA. Born August 4, 1920 in Pipestem, WV, he was a son of the late William Henderson Ellison and Lou Farley Ellison. Mr. Ellison was a longtime resident of Bluefield and was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church where he served as a Treasurer, Trustee, Elder and Deacon. He was also in the Men’s Bible Class and various share groups. He was actively involved in the growth movement of the Southern Chapters of the West Virginia Credit Union League, and on the National Board of Directors for C.U.N.A. (The Credit Union National Association), representing the state of West Virginia. He had perfect attendance at Kiwanis Club of Bluefield for 24 years, receiving the George F. Hixson Award. He was also actively involved with the local chapter of N.A.R.F.E. (National Association of Retired Federal Employees). He was a veteran, having served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army at Fort Knox from 1942-1946. Mr. Ellison was a graduate of Beckley Business College and worked as an IRS Agent for the Internal Revenue Service. Upon his retirement, he founded W. O. Ellison Tax Service along with his wife, Frances. In addition to his parents, Mr. Ellison was preceded in death by his loving wife, Frances Fulcher Ellison; three sisters, Stacie Ellison Cole, Lavonna Ellison and Marguerite Ellison Mann; and three brothers, Oscar Ellison, Emory Ellison and James Ellison. Survivors include one son, Rodney William Ellison and his wife (Ozzie’s loving caretaker) Mary Ann Ellison, of Summerville, SC; one sister Kathleen Ellison Hight of Lerona, WV; several nieces and nephews; and special caregivers, Ressia and Bobbi. Funeral services will be conducted on Monday April 11, 2011 from the Mercer Funeral Home Chapel at 2:00 p.m. with Ira Frazier officiating. The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Monday from 12:30 p.m. until the service hour. Entombment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Gardens in Princeton where family members and friends will serve as pallbearers. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions, if desired, be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church General Fund, P.O. Box 1258, Bluefield, WV 24701. Those wishing to share memories or condolence messages with the family may do so by visiting www.MercerFuneralHome.com Mercer Funeral Home & Crematory of Bluefield is serving the family of Mr. William Oswell “Ozzie” Ellison.

William "Ozzie" Ellison

August 4, 1920 - April 9, 2011