Flanked by a hungry sergeant-at-arms Bob Keely (left) and a hungry club president Don Broyles, Dr. Bill Ellis prepares to carry his birthday cake home to share with wife Kitty.

January 25, 2005

"This is the earliest I have ever been late for a meeting," Dr. William C. "Bill" Ellis told Putnam Rotarians as he slipped into the luncheon at Sleepy Hollow today.

No matter.

Ellis was greeted with a spontaneous chorus of "happy birthday" as members served a midget cake with a single candle to their club's number-one guiding spirit.

He was born on the 25th of January on Cabin Creek in the upper Kanawha valley. No one knows exactly which year that happened, but if you add 1910 to 1950 and divide by two, you might come close.

But that doesn't matter either.

Ellis follows the precedent set by Mark Twain and celebrates his birthdays in reverse order. This year is 58. Next year will be 57.

Ellis completed Hurricane High School in ten months. Under close questioning, however, he admits that he entered the school his senior year when the family moved to Putnam County.

A charter member of the Putnam club, and master of ceremonies for key events, Ellis holds the 2003 West Virginia Press Association award for "lifestyle columnist."

Syndicated by several newspapers throughout the region, his warm humor and observations on life and living keep him in demand as a motivational speaker and humorist.

And in between speaking and writing, Ellis offers guidance and advice on the Board of Directors for Florida's Warner Southern College.

Bill and his wife Kitty Ellis have published music and humor on tape and compact disk. Their first release in 2001, entitled "Laughing Seriously," includes talks about humor, happiness and health by Bill and several Christian favorites by Kitty.

A second program was released in 2004.

Putnam Rotary often recognizes birth dates and membership anniversaries, but serving cake is unusual. "We felt it appropriate," said sergeant-at-arms Bob Keely, "because Bill is the only member who celebrates his birthdays in reverse. He was 59 last year. Today he turned 58."

"I feel younger every year," said Ellis.

(Ellis may be contacted at PO Box 345, Scott Depot, WV 25560; by phone at 304-757-6089; or by e-mail at bill@billellis.net.)