William T. "Billy" Ellison, Jr

William Theophilus (Billy) Ellison, Jr.

May 11, 1941- October 20, 2020

Gainesville has lost an icon.  William Theophilus (Billy) Ellison, Jr. passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2020 surrounded by family. 

He was born May 11, 1941 in Athens, Georgia.  Billy graduated from the University of Georgia in 1964 where he was a member of the Alpha Tau Omega Fraternity with a degree in business. Billy continued to be the ultimate fan of the Georgia Bulldogs, often referred to as a “Damn Good Dog.”  Billy was known for his mastery of piano playing, starting as a classical piano player as a child.  Billy began playing in a high school band with lifetime friend Jimmy Wilson and the rest as they say, is history.   As a founding member of “The Tricks” and  “ Willie’s Two” , Billy continued to play the piano for over 63 years and became fondly known as The Piano Man.  Although music was his first love, Billy had an eclectic group of hobbies. Perhaps one thing that people may not know is that Billy was a longtime numismatist who had an enviable coin collection that started in his childhood. For many years, Billy was in the Tennessee Walking Horse business becoming a renowned genealogist respected by many in the industry. 

Billy and his father, William T. (Bill) Ellison, Sr. had a breeding operation and also a poultry operation known as Marell Farms which would later become Fieldale Farms. Billy was a member of The  First Baptist Church, former member of The Gainesville Jaycees, Gainesville Kiwanis and The Chattahoochee Country Club.   He is survived by daughters  Ann (Robert) Hood; Jordan (Bill) Frobos; grandchildren Austin O'Neal Campbell, Honey Elizabeth Campbell, Dustin Joseph (Dusty) Farmer all of Gainesville, Georgia and extended family.  He was predeceased by his wife, Marilyn Murphy Ellison; parents Mr. and Mrs. William T. (Freida) Ellison, Sr. and grandson, Ryan David Wagner.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday October 23, 2020 in the chapel of Little & Davenport Funeral Home.  Dr. Bill Coates will officiate.  A private family interment will be held in the Alta Vista Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has asked that memorial contributions please be made to Hospice of Northeast Georgia, 2150 Limestone Parkway, Suite 222, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 or the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia, 845 W. Ridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia  30501.

The service will be LIVE STREAMED https://vimeo.com/470612360.

Those wishing to send online condolences to the family may do so at littledavenport.com

Little & Davenport Funeral Home and Crematory, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.