'a Rotary jacket' 'two birthday cakes' Back row left to right are grandchildren John, Megan and Brody. Front row, Kitty and Bill Ellis thankfully snuggle close to each other. It was Happy Birthday at its best. (Putnam Herald, 5 Feb 10)

February 2, 2010

While most of the country celebrated Groundhog Day, Putnam Rotarians celebrated "Bill Ellis Day," and recognized charter member Dr. William C. "Bill" Ellis with an honorary club jacket and twin birthday cakes.

Ellis took the initiative in 1995 to call a meeting of Putnam's civic and business leaders at Dwight's Restaurant in Hurricane. Six people showed up to consider the prospects for a Rotary Club in the area. But at the charter banquet (May 16, 1995) the club had mushroomed to more than fifty members. (There was room only for thirty-six names on the charter plaque.)

A native of the Kanawha Valley, Ellis and his wife Kitty retired to Scott Depot after his serving as pastor of Peoples Church of God in Decatur, Illinois, for 25 years.

In demand as a public speaker and raconteur since his retirement from the active ministry, Ellis has cranked out weekly syndicated newspaper columns on just about every topic of current interest. And there have also been columns on Putnam history and nostalgia for local readers.

"We had a real problem on how to honor him," said Rotarian (and also a Putnam charter member) Don Broyles. "He is twice a 'Paul Harris Fellow.' He has been 'Rotarian of the Year.'"

In addition, Ellis has garnered state and national awards for his syndicated columns and public service.

But Ellis had drawn special attention at several meetings with a "coat of many colors," which he explained as ideal camouflage in a hunter's tree stand.

The club then decided to outfit Ellis with a formal Rotary jacket which, while it might not serve well in a tree stand, would be suitable for more formal wear.

Besides, Broyles said, he had worn the jacket himself for a year, and found it to be a bit too snug.

As for Bill Ellis, for the first time anyone can remember, he was at a loss for words.

Dr. Melissa Pratt presented Ellis with two "chocolate cookie" cakes -- two, because no one really knows the exact year of Ellis' birth. The confusion arises because, like Mark Twain, Ellis celebrates his birthdays in reverse order. Five years ago, he was 58. That means that this year he is celebrating number 53.

Says Ellis, "I feel younger every year."