Billy died July 12, 2014 in Friona, Texas He was born December 31, 1936 in Clovis, New Mexico to Charles Lowell and Mary Alean (Durham) Ellis. He married Carol A. Stone in Lubbock, Texas on December 20, 1958.

Background:
Billy was raised by his grandparents, Willie and Dovie Ellis of Muleshoe, after his parents passed away before he was 2 years old. He moved from San Mateo, California to Friona in 1962. He graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 1958, and was a founding member of the Sigma Delta Chi Journalism Fraternity. Billy was the owner, editor and publisher of the Friona Star from 1962 until he retired in 2003. In 2001, he was inducted into the Panhandle Press Association Hall of Fame, and was also named Friona’s Man of the Year. Billy wrote and published the book, “Friona on Parade” in 2006. He collected data for the National Weather Service for 25 years. He was a member of the Panhandle Press Association of Amarillo and the High Plains Eye Bank of Amarillo. Billy was a member of the Friona Evening Lions Club for 50 years, and was also a member of the First Baptist Church of Friona. He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Mary Ellis, and his grandparents, Willie and Dovie Ellis.


Survivors:
Survivors include his wife, Carol; two sons, Stanley Ellis of San Antonio, Texas and Richard Ellis and his wife Leanne of Skokie, Illinois; a daughter, Laura Garcia and her husband, Noel of Lubbock, Texas; a brother, Darrel Ellis of Lubbock, Texas; and three grandchildren, Madeline Garcia and Claira Garcia of Lubbock, Texas and Layla Ellis of Skokie, Illinois.


Memorials:
Donations can be sent to the West Texas Alzheimer's Association, 415 SW 8th Street, Suite 30, Amarillo, Texas, 79101, and Cal Farleys Boys Ranch, PO Box 1890, Amarillo, Texas, 79174. Online condolences may be made at www.ellisfuneralhomes.com.