Record #: R2020-1075   
Type: Resolution Status: Adopted
Intro date: 12/16/2020 Current Controlling Legislative Body:
Final action: 12/16/2020
Title: Tribute to late Bishop William A. Ellis, D.D.
Sponsors: Austin, Carrie M.
Attachments: 1. R2020-1075.pdf

MEMORIAL RESOLUTION HONORING THE LIFE OF BISHOP WILLIAM A. ELLIS

 

WHEREAS, The Honorable Bishop William A. Ellis, D.D., accomplished preacher, talented musician, and loving father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, took his earthy leave on Saturday, November 14, 2020; and

 

WHEREAS, The Chicago City Council has been informed of Bishop Ellis's passing by the Honorable Carrie M. Austin, Alderman ofthe 34th Ward; and

 

WHEREAS, William was born on September 18, 1942, in Chicago, and was the last of thirteen children born to the late Elder Charles and Lucille Ellis; and

WHEREAS, During his formative years, "Little Willie" was educated in the Chicago Public Schools and experienced "the new birth" on January 8, 1950, at the age of seven under the pastorate of his father, Elder Charles Ellis; and

 

WHEREAS, After his father's unexpected death in 1953, William stayed home to care for his mother until her passing; while supported by all his siblings, he especially cherished the spiritual guidance of his beloved brother, confidant, and best friend, Bishop David L. Ellis, the late pastor of Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, Michigan; and

 

WHEREAS, In 1962, at the age of twenty, William officially accepted the call to ministry, and, in October of 1963, he received his initial ministerial license from the Illinois District Council; and

 

WHEREAS, On June 29, 1963, William joined together with Sister Mary Pope Wilkins of Chicago in a blissful marriage that lasted nearly 50 years; their union produced four sons and eight grandchildren, and the couple remained together until Mother Mary P. Ellis transitioned into the portals of Glory on December 10, 2012; and

 

WHEREAS, William was ordained at the 1968 Convention ofthe Pentecostal Assemblies ofthe World in Los Angeles, and, that same year, the Lord directed him to San Antonio, Texas to pastor the Lincoln Park Church of Christ, where he and Sister Ellis made their new home; and

 

WHEREAS, Under Elder William Ellis's dynamic leadership, the church membership increased to over 600 active members; during his time leading the church, Elder Ellis became a "Pentecostal Trailblazer" and was the first pastor in that area to schedule a weekly church service on television, which lasted for seven years; and

 

WHEREAS, Elder Ellis was elevated to the office of District Elder in 1975, was promoted to Suffragan Bishop in August of 1992, and, two years later was elevated once more, this time to the office of Diocesan Bishop ofthe 15th Episcopal Diocese (Mountain States) ofthe P.A. of W.; as a dedicated and progressive Chairman serving two terms in the Texas State Council, he became the Diocesan Bishop ofthe 13th Episcopal Diocese; and

 

WHEREAS, Before Bishop Ellis left Texas, the Guadalupe Theological Seminary in San Antonio bestowed upon him the Doctor of Divinity Degree, and, in 1995, he returned to Chicago as the Senior Pastor of the historic Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park, where he revitalized the congregation, injected a new energy, paid off debts, and brought new life into the membership; and

 

WHEREAS, Bishop Ellis used his dynamic preaching style to revitalize the church with his motto, "I'm Bishop E, Because I've Been Set Free"; news quickly spread that something was

 

 

going on at the "Park!", causing people to flock to the services and before long, the church was at capacity on Sunday mornings; and

 

WHEREAS, One of the premiere gospel broadcasts on the WORD Network was the APC of Morgan Park featuring Bishop William A. Ellis and the dynamic choir of Chicago singing, "What A Fellowship"; and

 

WHEREAS, In September of 2016, Bishop Ellis retired, leaving his son, Pastor Bill, to follow in his footsteps as the 4th pastor of Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park; as Emeritus Pastor, Bishop Ellis was unable to jump over pews, shout, dance, and run the aisles as he had many times before, but he still rendered praise and thanksgiving to the Almighty God until he took his last breath; and

 

WHEREAS, In addition to his lifetime of service to the church, Bishop Ellis also served the community on civic boards, such as Utah Street Development, the San Antonio Independent School Board, and the Fireman and Police Civil Service Commission; he also served as Chaplain of the San Antonio Police Department and championed many other benevolent causes; and

 

WHEREAS, Bishop Ellis was a great and accomplished singer, musician, and preacher, but also had time to be a loving father; Poppy, brother, uncle, and friend to many across the world, including Dr. Carolyn Starling, with whom he had a relationship in ministry, and his longtime friend, Bishop Charles "Chief Davis; Bishop Ellis was known as Little Willie, Uncle Willie, William, Bishop E, Bishop, Pops, Dad, and Apostle, to name a few; and

 

WHEREAS, The legacy Bishop Ellis left includes his genuine love for people, sustained sacrifices, humility, dedication, and unshakable commitment that will be forever remembered by: his four sons, Isaac Devaughn (Tessa), Pastor Jonathan David, Michael Anthony (Sandra), and William Anthony, Jr., affectionately known as Pastor Bill (Kellen); seven grandchildren, Joshua, Iman, India, Isaac, Jr., Jeylon, Eden, and Amry; one grandchild who preceded him in death, Allyson; one sister, Cena Ellis Washington; three sisters-in-law, Wilma Ellis-Johnson, Mary Slayton, and Jean Martin; two goddaughters, Patrice and Sydney Cooper; his "Sheriff' and caretaker, Andria Sims; one Godbrother, Spencer Leak; his special cousin, Dr. Mattie Webb; many nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, friends, and saints everywhere; and the Apostolic Pentecostal Church of Morgan Park, Greater Lincoln Park Temple, and the Conquerors Assembly families whom he loved dearly; now, therefore

 

BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, gathered here this sixteenth day of December, 2020, do hereby extend our most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Bishop William A. Ellis; and

CARRIE M. AUSTIN Alderman, 34th Ward

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be prepared and presented to the family of Bishop William A. Ellis as a sign of our honor and respect.