WILLIE ELL

1932 - 2011

William Ell, husband of Diedra Ell of Taber, passed away at the Chinook Regional Hospital on Thursday, April 7, 2011 at the age of 79 years.
Relatives and friends are invited to Prayers at the Southland Funeral Chapel, 5006 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at 5:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Augustine’s Catholic Church, 5009 - 48 Avenue, Taber on Wednesday, April 13, 2011 at 2:00 P.M. with Reverend Vincent TuanHa, Celebrant. Burial to follow at the Taber Memorial Garden.
Besides his loving wife Diedra, he is survived by his stepson James T. Glabus of Toronto; sisters-in-law Loaine Ell of Taber, Julia Ell of Abbotsford, British Columbia and Violet Ell of Grassy Lake; brother-in-law Harold Martin of Penticton, British Columbia. He is also survived by his nephews Verle (Val) Ell, Glen (Lois) Schatz, Steven W. Ell, Cyril (June) Ell, John (Darla) Ell and Jeff (Sandy) Martin; nieces Geraldine (Jim) Kirkman, Cheryl (Dave) Garner, Rita Austin, Marian (Pat) Lang, Valerie Ell, Alanna (Jack) Schellhorn and Roxanne (Dwayne) Selvig.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Frances Ell; brothers John C., Tom, Frank, Stephen and infant brother Dominic; sisters Cathrine Schatz and Stephana Martin; brother-in-law Pete Schatz; sister-in-law Terry Ell; nephews Daryle Ell and Ralph Schatz; nieces Juliana Marta and Clara Sperling as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Willie was born on the family homestead southeast of Grassy Lake on March 6, 1932 to John and Frances Ell. He received his early schooling at the Jasman School close to his home, after which he attended school in Burdett. After he left school he farmed with his brother Steve for several years before buying his own land east of Burdett. He lived at home with his parents and commuted to his farmland in Burdett and to the home quarter. Willie, as he was known to all, was a very outgoing person and very opinionated, never holding back from sharing his views. Willie married Diedra Glabus in March of 1982. His main enjoyments in life were barhopping and playing softball. After selling his farmland his ball playing took him to Arizona in the winter, making it a year round sport. He also played hockey and curled in his younger years. He played many hands of cards with his cronies at the Legion and Parkside Manor. He was always involved in his church and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus, helping with the farm auction sales over the years. He volunteered at the Taber Food Bank, even taking on the job of feeding pigs for the benefit of the food bank one year. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.