Putnam speaker revisits
Cabin Creek pulpit, roots

GAZETTE-MAIL METRO PUTNAM September 3, 2008, 2008

The Rev. Dr. William C. "Bill" Ellis of Putnam County was the scheduled pulpit guest at the Sunday morning service Aug. 31 at the Sharon Church of God in Dry Branch.

He was also to speak at the church's evening service on Aug. 31.

His wife, Kitty, an accomplished soloist, sang at both services.

Ellis is widely known as a convention and conference speaker. He has been featured in church meetings throughout the United States, on all the major continents and in numerous countries. He and his wife have served in camp meetings, youth conventions and in a wide variety of meetings for many different church and convention groups for more than 50 years.

Ellis is also a newspaper columnist who writes two columns each week, one for a Putnam County publication and another that is published nationally and internationally and has won several awards.

His writing also appears in magazines and books.

Ellis is a frequent speaker for service and business clubs and organizations, senior citizens meetings and youth gatherings.

His wife has been a soloist for many world conventions, conferences and radio and television programs, as well as a speaker for women's meetings.

They spent years in the evangelistic field, especially during the time Ellis was a Youth Crusade Staff Evangelist with Youth for Christ International. Much of their ministry has centered around young people, primarily from teenage through the college and university levels.

They have also been leaders many times for the West Virginia State Seniors Convention at Jackson's Mill, which is sponsored by the Governor's Office, and for AARP conferences.

Ellis has spoken in approximately 125 churches and preaching places in West Virginia. He was graduated from Hurricane High School after having spent only his senior year there. He was the only basketball player to start every game that year, 1947-48, for the Hurricane Redskins and still shoots basketball just about every day of the year unless his court is covered with ice and snow or the temperature is below freezing.

Ellis grew up at Wevaco on Cabin Creek and went to school there and at Decota, Leewood Junior High and East Bank High School. He was president of his class at Leewood and during his two years at East Bank, from 1945 to 1947.

Ellis was reportedly the first evangelist to ever conduct revival services at the Sharon Church of God. The services took place from June 24 to July 8, 1951, during the pastorate of the Rev. William C. "Bill" Lusk, his wife, Emma, and daughter Judy.