Nov. 27, 1927 – May 6, 2013

NATCHEZ — Services for Walton H. “Jack” Ellis, 85, of Natchez, who died Monday, May 6, 2013, at University Medical Center in Jackson, will be at 2 p.m. Friday at Laird Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Denny Calloway and the Rev. Dick Root officiating.

Burial will follow with military honors at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery under the direction of Laird Funeral Home.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today and from 1 p.m. until service time Friday, both at the funeral home.

Mr. Ellis was born Nov. 27, 1927, in Rosetta, the son of A.M. Ellis and Marticia Hall Ellis. He was a member of the Covington Road Church of Christ. He retired from the Natchez-Adams County school district and spent the rest of his retirement enjoying the craftsmanship of woodworking, camping and playing with his dogs.

Mr. Ellis was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Edward; one sister, Sue Seab; and an infant daughter, Evelyn.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Sallie Swann Ellis; two sons, Michael Ellis and wife, Maudie, and Johnny Ellis and wife, Jennifer; one daughter, Janet Wilder and husband, Johnny; eight grandchildren, Joseph Golden, Christopher Golden, Sarah Beth Bell, Nichole Ellison, Andy Ellis, Brad Ellis, Kasey Kidd and Clara Wilder; one great-grandchild, Ethan Golden; and one sister, Neil Willard.

Pallbearers will be Joseph Golden, Christopher Golden, Matthew Bell, Sean Ellison, Andy Ellis, Brad Ellis and Caleb Kidd.

Honorary pallbearers will be special friends of the family that include Huey and Linda Martin, Vaughn and Pat Crook, Mary George Collins, Mae Smith, Alton and Arlene Marler, Barbara Murray, Ann Marie Smith, Leah Bedson, Norma Hammock, Prissy Eidt, Dorris Rodriguez, Janice Welch, Ethyl Jackson and George and Joy McFarland.

He was a true man of God that will be forever loved and missed by his wife, children and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan B. Komen Foundation, P.O. Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309.

Online condolences may be sent to www.lairdfh.com.