Our hearts are heavy as we announce that Omer William Ellis, Jr of Magnolia, TX went to Heaven on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

He was born on May 12, 1932 to Omer and Allie Ellis in Willis, TX.  He joined and served in the US Army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War.  After an honorable discharge in June of 1955, he returned home to pursue his dream of becoming a truck driver.  In school, he used to listen to the trucks going up and down the highway outside and dream of being one of them.  He drove for Western Auto and Bama Foods but most of his career was spent delivering for Comet and Adolphus Rice, where he met and drove with Jerry Wilson, who would become his best friend.  Omer used to love to tell stories of their crazy experiences on the road together.  He became the longest career driver at American Rice Inc. and received the Driver of the Year Award in 1995.

After Jerry's untimely death, Omer vowed to take care of his wife and three children for him.  At that time, he didn't know that he would fall in love and become a husband and father to his wife and children.  But he did and he took that role on proudly and worked and sacrificed to make sure his new family had the best life possible.  He and Mary raised their family together in Jacinto City, Tx.  He was a true family man and everything he did was meant for the good of his family.  There were many summer vacations to Colorado in their travel trailer.  He loved Bluegrass music and enjoyed taking the family to various bluegrass festivals.  After Beth and Natalie grew up and married, he was still always there for them and their families.  He was the best Dad he could possibly be for Bubba and Wilma, who remained at home.  He retired in 1998 and he and Mary worked hard to build a beautiful new home for their family in Magnolia, Texas.  He loved it there and enjoyed sitting out on the porch and visiting with the neighbors.  Omer loved to help people, anytime he could.  He had a beautiful loving heart and always made you feel welcome.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Omer & Allie Ellis, sister Dolores Sampson, brother CL Ellis, son Jerry (Bubba) Wilson, and best friend Jerry Nathaniel Wilson.  He is survived by his beautiful wife of 57 years, Mary, daughters Wilma Ellis, Beth Kellett and Natalie Cramer (Scott); grandchildren Stephen Mitchell, Stephanie Hahn (Andrew), Hunter Cramer and Conner Cramer; great grandchildren Riley and Lily Hahn; sister Helen Osteen (Jackie); dear friends Curtis & Vickie and Barbara & Frosty; many nieces and nephews and countless other friends and relatives that held a special place in his heart.

His ashes will be laid to rest at the family cemetery in the country out from Old Waverly.