William Arthur Ellis III

William Arthur Ellis III, 90, of Sun Lakes, AZ, peacefully passed away at his home on March 14, 2021 after a brief battle with cancer. Bill was born in Omaha, Nebraska on Jan. 10, 1931 to William A. Ellis Jr. and Elizabeth M. Ellis.

Bill graduated from Omaha North High School in 1949 and attended University of Nebraska, Omaha. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1950 and served during the Korean War as an instructor of aviation mechanics. After his honorable discharge in 1953, Bill returned to Omaha to work for Northwestern Bell as a lineman where he endured harsh working conditions. His strong work ethic, along with his pursuit of continuing education earned him a series of promotions that brought about a managerial role. Bill’s career in communication technology on top of his exemplary Air Force service was recognized by his supervisors and resulted in a confidential assignment at the Offut Air Force Base in NB. Bill retired in 1990, after 36 years, from the newly formed US West, Inc.

In 1993 Bill moved to Sun Lakes, Arizona, serendipitously purchasing a home right next door to Eva Mariahazy. The two neighbors rapidly discovered common interests as well as ethnicity as Bill’s grandparents were from Hungary and Eva was born in Budapest. The friendship blossomed into a romance and the two were married in 1994. The subsequent 27 years brought them the Golden Years we all dream of. They traveled the country in “Gypsy”, their 19’ camper and traveled the world on cruises and airlines while Bill’s love of boating took them to one of their most memorable spots, a cove of turquoise water at Lake Powell. His beloved Cornhuskers kept Bill glued to the TV every football season while proudly flying his red Nebraska flag in his front yard and sporting ‘Huskers bumper stickers on his car.

Bill was preceded in death by his sister Joyce (Ellis) Stowell and his second wife, Carol Ellis. He is survived by his brother Bob and sister-in-law Polly. According to Bob, Bill, who was 6 years older, was close to being a “surrogate father” by making “sure I was safe, fed and stayed out of trouble”. He was Bob’s role model and the primary "building block" responsible for who Bob is today with regards to values, being accountable, and a sense of humor.

Bill leaves behind a loving family who will miss him, greatly. Including, daughter Cathy Wallace and granddaughters Caitlin and Carrie, son Brad Ellis, daughter-in-law Martha and granddaughters, Sarah and Grace. Upon his marriage to Eva, Bill acquired an additional extended family all of whom immediately fell in love with him and made him the family patriarch. Including stepchildren, Judy, Laszlo and Peter Mariahazy, grandchildren, Rocky, Stephen, Max and seven great-grandchildren, all of whom called him “Nagypapa”, grandfather in Hungarian.

A brief, private service was held after Palm Sunday at Bill and Eva’s church Risen Savior Lutheran in Sun Lakes. A “Celebration of Life” memorial service will be announced and held at a later date, once Covid-19 restrictions are lifted and it becomes safe to do so.