Rev. Bill Shepard, Delaine Owens, William F. “Bill” Lollis, Billy Ellison
Billy Ellison
Williamston – Billy Wayne Ellison, 85, husband of Ana Maria Serrano Ellison, passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2024.
Born in Cheddar, he was a son of the late Lawrence Berry Ellison, Jr. and Lucille Mullikin Ellison Snider. Billy retired from John D. Hollingsworth after 40 years of service. During his travels with Hollingsworth, Billy met the love of his life, Ana Maria, in Guatemala.
He was a veteran of the United States Navy and was stationed at Barbers Point in Hawaii. He served aboard the USNS Fred C. Ainsworth troop transport ship.
In addition to his wife of 52 years, he is survived by daughters, Ana Ellison Lark (William Neil, Jr.) of Anderson and Kristina Ellison of Colorado; grandson, Andrew Riley Lark; and sister, Barbara Welborn of Williamston.
He was predeceased by a sister, Janet Richardson.
The family w received friends 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Saturday, October 12, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer with the funeral service following at 3:00 p.m. in the mortuary chapel. Burial was at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Anderson.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hillcrest Baptist Church, 1300 Anderson Drive, Williamston, SC 29697 or Caris Hospice, 128 Straight Drive, Anderson, SC 29625.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
William F. “Bill” Lollis
Piedmont – William Fred “Bill” Lollis, 73, husband of Hilda Alexander Lollis, passed away Sunday, October 13, 2024, at his home.
Born in Pelzer, he was a son of the late George Glenn Lollis and Freddie Crone Lollis Lark. He was formerly employed with J.P. Stevens Estes Plant and attended Bessie Road Baptist Church. Bill was a United States Army veteran.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by daughters, Lisa Caldwell (Tony) of Pelzer, Kim Nelms (Chad) of Williamston, and Misty Powell (Chris) of Williamston; grandchildren, Brandon Caldwell, Brittany Smith, Brooke Sutton, Johnny Wilson, Kenley Powell, Avery Nelms, and Anna Nelms; great-grandchildren, Graelyn Adams, Bryce Sutton, Blakely Smith, Barrett Sutton, Calhoun Wilson, and Harvey-Mae Wilson; and siblings, Sandra Stone of Pelzer, Jack Lollis of Piedmont, Donald Lollis of Williamston, and Rhonda Davis of Piedmont.
He was predeceased by a brother, Tommy Lollis and a sister, Sylvia Cox.
The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, at Bessie Road Baptist Church with the funeral service following at 12:00 p.m. Burial will be at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Gray Mortuary, Pelzer
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
Delaine Owens
Pelzer – Rebecca Delaine Spearman Owens, 68, widow of Randle Earl Owens, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2024 surrounded by her family.
Born in Greenville, she was a daughter of Dannis Delaine Bearden Spearman and the late James Douglas Spearman. Delaine was a kind, thoughtful person who was always giving to others. She was a member of Eastview Baptist Church and a faithful servant of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her favorite Bible verse was Mark 5:27-28.
In addition to her mother of Pelzer, she is survived by sisters, Deborah Roberts (George) of Williamston and Deanna Sloan (Tim) of Woodruff; nieces and nephews, DeAnna Morgan (Randy), Erik Roberts (Tori), Jacob Sloan, McKenna Sloan, Caitlin Leigh Winstead, Austin and Landon Roberts, James Mitchell, and Adelaide Goepper; cousins, Brad and Patricia Brown; many other extended family members and her beloved dogs, Opie and Izzy.
She was predeceased by a nephew, Bryson Roberts.
A graveside service was held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 13, at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to the Greenville Humane Society, 305 Airport Rd., Greenville, SC 29607 or Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills, 390 Keowee School Rd., Seneca, SC 29672.
The family would like to thank Ms. Judy Moon, honorary sister, for her loving care and Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills for their care and support.
Rev. Bill Shepard
Piedmont – Willie Morris “Bill” Shepard Sr., 102, husband of the late Eufaula McDonald Shepard, passed away peacefully Saturday, October 5, 2024.
He was born April 10, 1922, in the small rural setting of Byrd-town. He was a son of the late Sedrick and Bessi Griggs Shepard. Shortly after his birth, his father moved with his family to the mill town of Darlington.
Bill spent all of his early years in the Mill Village in Darlington and in later years was referred to as the Mill Village Historian. For Bill’s contributions over his lifetime, he was presented with the key to his beloved city of Darlington.
While attending school, he met his wife-to-be. She was 13 years old, and he was 15. Bill often said that folk called it puppy love, but it lasted for 80 years.
Bill and Eufaula McDonald were married in 1943 while Bill was serving in the U. S. Army during WWII. After serving in the military, the two lived in Darlington where he worked in various jobs. Bill often said that those were my restless years. Early in 1946, Bill surrendered his life to Christ and shortly afterwards felt a Divine Call into the ministry. He was given his first church to pastor in 1947. After two years at that church, he was assigned to another in Calhoun Falls. Bill said he had never known such a place existed. While there, he went back to school.
He attended Emmanuel College at Franklin Springs, Ga. He first attended the Academy there and earned his high school certificate. During the next two years he earned his two-year degree from Emmanuel College. Bill transferred to another pastorate at the mill town of Ware Shoals. While there he attended Lander College in Greenwood where he received his bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He taught for 30 years in the public schools before retirement.
Bill wrote a weekly column for his hometown newspaper, Darlington News and Press, for more than 30 years. He wrote about his memories of being a mill village boy and growing up in Darlington. This led to his writing his first book, Mill Village Boy, in 1995 which was widely read, and a revised version was published later. His second book, Bruised (a collection of sermonettes) followed. Bill and his wife wrote My Adventures with God which was a biography of Eufaula’s father who had been the state’s bishop over the church of God of Prophecy in S.C. His recent books were a true children’s story, Fugi’s Great Adventure and his most treasured book, A Boy, A Girl and Their Journey Together.
Bill often said that God gave him the hardest but also the most rewarding job a man could have. That of teaching children to become adults and adults how to become children! Did not Jesus say that unless a man be converted and become as a little child, he could not enter the kingdom of God.
Bill and Eufaula are together again – to be separated never more. Their spiritual bodies are now in the presence of Jesus, their earthly bodies will lie side by side until the time of Resurrection. What a day that day will be.
Surviving are his children, Sharyn (Stan) and Darrell; daughter-in-law, Sandra; grandchildren, Pam, Chris, Shana, Claire, and Ally; seven great grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and McDonald family: Dot, Jeanette, Junior, Gerald (Jackie); and lots of nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his son, Morris Shepard; and siblings, Harry, Harvey, Elsie, and Jenny.
Visitation was from 10:30 to 11:45 am Saturday, October 12, at Gray Mortuary, Pelzer. The funeral service followed at 12:00 pm in the mortuary chapel. Burial at Greenville Memorial Gardens.
Memorials may be made to Boys Town, 14100 Crawford St., Boys Town, NE 68010, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or a church of your choice.
Condolences: www.graymortuary.com
