WILLIAMS, ELLIS LUSK, March 25, 1918 – April 17, 2006

BLACKFOOT – Ellis Lusk Williams, 88, of Blackfoot, passed away Monday, April 17, 2006 at the Bingham County Extended Care Facility.

He was born in Malad on March 25, 1918 to Elizabeth Maria Lusk and Jenkin Vaughan Williams. Ellis joined a family of six brothers and one sister. They enjoyed a close association with each other throughout his life. Ellis attended public schools in Malad and graduated from Malad High School, where he participated in activities such as government, athletics, band, chorus and seminary. He loved the dances that were held on Saturday nights. He grew up with a great love of horses.

After high school he enrolled at Utah State University. In 1940 he served an LDS mission to the New England states. After completing his mission, he returned to Utah State to earn his bachelor’s degree in education. He joined the Sigma Chi fraternity and enjoyed all the activities and events.

At Utah State he met a pretty gal from the Chi Omega sorority named Mae Cutler. She was the apple of his eye. They were married on May 28, 1943 in the Logan LDS Temple.

Ellis worked at Thomas High School and in the Firth, Fremont, Rockland and Soda Springs school districts for several years in his career. He was also employed by Sid Kleffner sporting Goods in Boise and Salt Lake City.

Ellis and Mae farmed, milked cows, gardened and earned Ellis’ master’s degree while living in Rockland, where he was school superintendent, teacher and coach.

Ellis and Mae retired from the Soda Springs School Dist. In 1980, with a combined 72 years of experience in teaching and administration. After retirement, they moved to Blackfoot, where they enjoyed their many friendships with family, neighbors and acquaintances.

In 1989 Ellis was elected into the Idaho High School Interscholastic Activities Assoc. Hall of Fame.

He was active in his church, with many responsibilities, highlighted by serving in the stake high council and as a temple worker in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. Ellis and Mae also served a mission in the Salt Lake genealogy mission. Ellis and Mae enjoyed their leisure time in their cabin at Island Park and a park model in St. George, UT.

Surviving are his wife, Mae Cutler Williams of Blackfoot; children, Renee’ (Elzo) White of Riverside, J. V. Williams, and partner, F. William (Bill) Balkie, of Florida, Shauna Williams and Chad Williams, both of Idaho Falls; four grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; brother, Keith (Pat) Williams of Thomas; and sister-in-law, Genevieve Williams of Salt lake City. He was preceded in death by son, Rick Williams, parents, Elizabeth Maria and Jenkin Vaughan Williams, sister, Lottie (Venal) Jones, brothers, Venal Williams, John Williams, Morgan (Mae) Williams, Wes (Pearl) Williams, Glen (Kathleen) Williams and Lynn Williams.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, April 21, 2006 at the Blackfoot Sixth Ward LDS Chapel. Interment will be in the Riverside-Thomas Cemetery.