Henry L. "Pete" Ellis

Henry L. “Pete” Ellis passed away on November 1, 2012, at the age of 89.

A life-long resident of Lake Wales, Mr. Ellis was born in Millville, Florida, in 1923, and came to Lake Wales at the age of two months with his parents, Joseph Leo Ellis and Ouida Mae Ellis.

Mr. Ellis attended Lake Wales High School where he was a star member of the football and track teams. He graduated from Draughn’s Business College in Atlanta, Georgia with a degree in Accounting.

He served three years in the U. S. Navy as a pharmacist’s mate aboard LST 978 in the Pacific. He was discharged in 1946 and came back to Lake Wales, joining the accounting firm of Bunting, Tripp and Ingley where he spent his entire professional career, retiring in 1988 with 42 years of service. He married Marion Joyce Hamburg of Lake Wales in 1947 and had two sons.

Mr. Ellis was a member of the Elks Lodge Number 1974, the past president of the Lions Club, a past director of the Chamber of Commerce and Committee of 100 and a past director of the original Lake Wales Little League. He was an avid golfer, fisherman and hunter.

Pete was preceeded in death by his wife of 64 years, Marion Ellis. He is survived by two sons, Michael Ellis (Meridel) of Wellington, FL and Philip Ellis of Chelsea, AL; his twin brother, Joseph C. Ellis of Lake Wales; four grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

A private family graveside services will be held at the Lake Wales Cemetery. Marion Nelson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.