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UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1458
Page 1 of 2
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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of John 1
William "Willie" Ellery. 2
WHEREAS, John William "Willie" Ellery was born August 28, 1949, in 3
Springfield, Kentucky, the son of John William Ellery Sr. and Mary Helen Riley Ellery; 4
and 5
WHEREAS, a lifelong member of the Springfield community, Willie Ellery served 6
as the Maintenance Director for the Housing Authority of Springfield for 52 years; and 7
WHEREAS, Willie Ellery also served his community as a member of the 8
Springfield City Council for 26 years; and 9
WHEREAS, Willie Ellery was a devoted member of Holy Rosary Church and was 10
past chairperson for the church's Homecoming Celebration; and 11
WHEREAS, Willie Ellery was a 3rd degree member of Council 4270 Knights of 12
Columbus in Springfield, as well as a 4th degree member of Monsignor McGee 13
Assembly; and 14
WHEREAS, a devoted fan of University of Louisville sports, Willie Ellery served 15
for 20 years as an usher for U of L Athletics; and 16
WHEREAS, Willie Ellery was an avid fisherman, golfer, and pickleball player who 17
was the three-time Play Club Golf champion; and 18
WHEREAS, Willie Ellery departed these earthly bounds on November 5, 2025, at 19
the age of 76; and 20
WHEREAS, Willie Ellery is survived by his wife, Jo Ann Smith Ellery; a daughter, 21
Launius (Lance) Byrd; two brothers, Charles Ellery and Walter Ellery; four sist ers, Mary 22
Helen (Richard) Railey, Terry Ellery, Margaret (Pat) Trigg and Elizabeth (John Fogle) 23
Ellery; one half-sister, Rose Wilson; five step sisters, Shirley Brewer, Bonnie Anderson, 24
Delores Turner, Cathy Spalding, and Toni Churchill; one step brother, Donnie Edelen; 25
two grandchildren, Zyi and Kobe Xisin; and 3 great grandchildren, Cali Nelson, Jalen 26
Nelson, and Aries Carter; 27
UNOFFICIAL COPY 26 RS BR 1458
Page 2 of 2
XXXX 1/6/2026 1:48 PM Jacketed
NOW, THEREFORE, 1
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 2
Kentucky: 3
Section 1. The Senate hereby joins with Senator Jimmy Higdon in expressing 4
its most profound sympathy upon the passing of John William "Willie" Ellery. 5
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so i n honor and loving 6
memory of John William "Willie" Ellery. 7
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 8
Resolution to Senator Jimmy Higdon for delivery to the family of Willie Ellery. 9