William Dean Ellis

William "Bill" Dean Ellis, 68, of Sioux City passed away peacefully on Friday, July 2, 2010, at his home after a gallant battle with cancer.

Services will be 11 a.m. Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at Meyer Brothers Colonial Chapel. Burial will be at a later date. Visitation will be 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday,July 6 with the family present 6 to 8 p.m., at the funeral home.

Bill was born Jan. 19, 1942, in Washington, Kan., the son of Clarence "Butch" and Ruby Ellis. The family moved to Sioux City in 1946, where he attended Sioux City Public Schools. He graduated from East High School in January 1960.

He served four years in the U.S. Navy aboard the U.S.S. Prairie (AD-17) stationed in San Diego, Calif., and Yokuska, Japan. He worked for 39 years in the financial services industry beginning with his employment at Home Federal Savings and Loan as a bookkeeper, Valley State Bank as vice president and cashier for over 20 years throughout the bank's many transitions (United Central, First Interstate, Boatmen's and Bank of America), Telco Triad Community Credit Union as director of operations and Liberty National Bank.

He married Patricia Bever in 1967, and they divorced in 1978. He married Charlene Boersma in 1979. Bill served as a director on the boards of Siouxland Mental Health Center, Siouxland Community Health Center, Telco Triad Community Credit Union and State Medical Assistance Advisory Council.

Bill enjoyed politics, crossword puzzles and playing poker with friends. He was an avid fan of the Chicago Cubs and the Iowa Hawkeyes. He especially enjoyed his grandsons and volunteering at their baseball games. He could always be found umpiring at first or second base.

Survivors include his wife, Charlene; his son, Nicholas Burns and his wife, Christina of Elk Point; his daughter, Christine Burns of Sioux City; four grandsons, Jacob A. Clay, Andrew C. Langston, Austin W. Langston and Colten J. Burns; and a sister, Billie Jo Lane and her two children, Melinda and Steve, all of Oregon.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Sally and Marilyn; and one brother, Robert.

Memorials may be directed to the Stella Sanford Child Development Center for Scholarships or Siouxland Community Health Center.