Willie Ellis Sr.

SIKESTON, Mo. -- Willie James "Cadillac Willie" Ellis Sr., 67, of Sikeston died Tuesday, July 8, 2008, at the Missouri Delta Regional Medical Center in Sikeston.

He was born Feb. 26, 1941, in Belene, Miss., son of James and Viola Wilson Ellis. He and Eddie Jean Bell were married in 1962.

Ellis was a member of the West End Missionary Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife; four sons, Willie "John Boy" Ellis and Patrick Ellis, both of Sikeston, Robert L. Elllis of Cape Girardeau, Cardale Ellis of Hannibal, Mo.; two daughters, Rosemary Ellis and Minnie "Mamie" Lou Ellis, both of Sikeston; two brothers, Ulysses Neal of Sikeston, Robert Ellis of Cape Girardeau; eight sisters, Luebirda Lott, Ruby Mosby, Dorothy Mhoon, Callie Weakley, Penny Whitney and Mattie Harris, all of Sikeston, Mary Edward of Memphis, Tenn., Mary Richards of Chicago; 14 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. until noon Saturday at West End Baptist Church in Sikeston.

The funeral will be at noon Saturday at the church, with the Rev. Roosevelt Weakley officiating. Burial will be in Sunset of Memories Cemetery in Sikeston.

Williams Funeral Home in Sikeston is in charge of arrangements.