Obit provided by Find a Graver Paul Armstrong

Mr. W.L. Ellis, father of our townsman Mr. B.F. Ellis, died at his home in the New Hope community in the eastern part of Lowndes county, last Friday at the ripe old age of 84. His remains were laid to rest Saturday in the Beersheba cemetery, Rev. E.M. Younghance conducting the services.
Mr. Ellis spent his long life very near his birthplace, having been born just across the line in Alabama from his home where he reared his family and spent his last days. He was married Dec. 26, 1855, to Miss Emily Fielder, who, at 80 years of age, survives him. To this union were born ten children - four boys and six girls all of whom lived to be grown, but two of these, Mr. P.W. Ellis and Mrs. Jennie Ferguson, had preceded their father to the beyond. His living children are: Messrs. J.J. and W.F. Ellis, of Lowndes county; Mr. B.F. Ellis, of this city (Okolona); Mrs. Georgia Bell and Mrs. John Barksdale and Mrs. S.M. Nash, of Lowndes county; Mrs. Minter, of Birmingham; and Mrs. Lutitia Gunter of Decatur, Ala.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, Mr. Ellis enlisted and served with distinction until its close without receiving a scratch. Here, as elsewhere, he did his whole duty as he saw it, and after that struggle, he began life anew, like the good citizen he was, and reared his large family of boys and girls to be useful men and women.

Okolona (MS) Messenger, May 3, 1917.

From the book "Lowndes County Mississippi---a photographic reminiscence, 1830-1980" by William Mayo Ellis, Jr. , page 17
Born in Eastern Lowndes County in 1832. Fought in a number of Civil War Battles. His brother was killed at Shiloh and he carried him off of the field of battle to bury him that night and marked his grave. Later he was captured near Corinth. He was paroled and reentered the war. He was fighting at Vicksburg when it fell and became a prisoner again. He was paroled, he came home and took a wagon to Shiloh to get his brother and brought him home to bury him at the family burying ground. True to his word. For many years he was the Constable of District #3.