Wm. Ellis Shackelford

William Ellis Shackelford was born on a farm south of Burlington Junction, Mo. on April 11, 1918 to and William Owen and Jessie Mae (Fullenwider) Shackelford. He graduated from Burlington Junction High School.

Ellis joined the U.S. Army in 1943 and served in the 128th FA Bn. 6th Armored Division, a part of Gen. George Patton’s Third Army.

On June 22, 1943 he married Bessie Marie Lewis. The new bride went to California with Sgt. Shackelford to be near him where he was stationed.   He was discharged in 1945.

After being discharged from the military, he and his wife made their home in Burlington Junction, where he engaged in a number of occupations.

Ellis was united in marriage to Helen Gertrude Howell in 1992. They moved to Maryville, Missouri in 1996.

Ellis passed away at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cameron, Mo. on Thursday, Oct. 16, 2014 at the age of 96.

Preceding him in death were his parents and his two wives, Bessie in 1990 and Gertrude in 2007.   Survivors include stepdaughter, Carol Jean (Staples) Churchill and husband Robert and family of Madison, Alabama; friends, Wayne and Margaret Pierson and family, and James and Sue Mattson and family, all of Maryville; and several cousins.

Celebration of Life and graveside services and interment with military rites: Sunday, Oct. 19, 2014 at 2:00 pm at the English Grove Cemetery, Fairfax, Missouri, with Terry Henry, officiating. Memorials: The Veterans Assistance League, c/o Missouri Veterans Home, 111 Euclid, Cameron, MO 64429.