William Lee Ellison

William Lee Ellison, 62, of Little Rock, formerly of Brinkley, passed away on Tuesday December 19 at his home.

"Puddin" as William was affectionately known was born September 23, 1961 in Brinkley, Arkansas to Marie Ellison and Fred Lee Harris.

While being raised in the Brinkley Community, William attended the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ Apostolic Faith under the leadership of the late Reverend W.L. Harvey and Mother Lee Etta Harvey.

William received his early education from the Brinkley Public School District. He was a 1981 graduate of Brinkley High School. He went of to continue his education by attending and graduating from East Arkansas Community College in Forrest City. He later went on to attend Arkansas Baptist College in Little Rock.

He was formerly employed by the Brinkley Kentucky Fried Chicken for several years until he was forced to retire due to a workplace injury.

William was united in holy matrimony to Florestine McNeal in April 1993.

Through the years, William had been involved in the local Young Scholars program, Brinkley Housing Authority Community Garden and the Scholars Program under the leadership of the director the late Irene K. Lee. Education was very important to him. His mentor and great friend were the former Chancellor of the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the late Lawrence A. Davis.

His parents: Marie Ellison and Fred Lee Harris; three brothers: Cornelious Russell, Sherman Russell and Cleo Russell; two sisters: Erma Breedlove and Kathleen Ellison all preceded William in death.

Survivors are: his wife Florestine Ellison of North Little Rock, AR; two sons: William DeShaw (Sabrina) Applewhite of Dallas, TX; and Jarrod Ellison of Little Rock, AR; five daughters: Whitlee M. Ellison of Jacksonville, AR; Justine Ellison and Shakinzie Burnett both of North Little Rock, AR; Patrice Applewhite of Forrest City, AR; and Christa Goldberg of Little Rock, AR; 26 grandchildren; two brothers: Cleotis Ellison of Chicago, IL and Charles Ellison of Chesapeake, VA; five sisters: Cloteen McMillion of Atlanta, GA; Ella (Sam) Alexander of South Holland, IL; Jeweline Williams of North Little Rock, AR; Thelma Ellison of Conway, AR; and Vernetta (Jerry) Burks of Brinkley, AR; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday morning, January 6 at 10 AM at the Brinkley Convention Center, 1500 Weatherby Drive in Brinkley with Elder Kenneth Harvey Sr. officiating. Interment will take place at Memorial Park Cemetery in Brinkley by C.J. Williams Funeral Directors and Cremations of Brinkley (870) 589-5036 and email: williamsfuneralhome2022@gmail.com  web address: www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net <http://www.williamsfuneraldirectors.net>.

Pallbearers are: Dedrick Roberts, Sasha Smith, Gary McGoy, Edward Randle, Brian Nelson and James Mauldin.