William James Ellis, 89, of Mattapoisett died Sunday March 16, 2003 at Tobey Hospital in Wareham after a brief illness. He was the husband of Gladys H. (Heuberger) Sherman Ellis and the late Mary Jane (O'Neill) Ellis.
Born in Dorchester, the son of the late Samuel E. and Mary (Mahoney) Ellis, he was raised in Mattapoisett and attended Mattapoisett Center School and Fairhaven High School. He had lived in Connecticut for many years before returning to Mattapoisett.
For thirty years Mr. Ellis dedicated himself to working with at-risk youth as a probation officer with the Connecticut Juvenile Court. Many families personally credited him with saving their boys from a life in prison.
Mr. Ellis was a communicant of St. Anthony's Church, and was also involved in many activities at the Mattapoisett Congregational Church.
The son of Irish immigrants, he was graduated from Boston College and Boston College School of Social Work. During World War II, he served as a Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was active in his community as a member of the Machacom Club, and with his involvement in the Meals on Wheels Program. An avid square dancer, he also belonged to several regional square dance clubs. He was frequently seen riding his bicycle throughout the Mattapoisett village and regularly visiting residents of the former Mattapoisett Nursing Home.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Jane Ellis Titus of Fitchburg; 2 stepdaughters, Anne Lima of Rochester and Carole Clifford of Manchester, CT; his sister-in-law, Rosemary O'Neill of Sudbury; 2 step-granddaughters, Debra Dine of Merrimack, NH and Sarah Whinnem-Eaton of Attleboro; 2 step-great-grandchildren, Brandon and Kaitlyn Dine; and several nieces and nephews.He was the brother of the late Michael Ellis.
His Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday March 18, 2003 at 2 PM in St. Anthony's Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in Cushing Cemetery. Visiting hours will be at the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett, Monday March 17, 2003 from 5-8 PM. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Mattapoisett Congregational Church Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 284, Mattapoisett, MA 02739.