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A RESOLUTION adjourning the Senate in honor and loving memory of William 1
Hartford Ellison. 2
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on 3
February 7, 1925, to the late Edward and Mary (nee Berry) Ellison, and peacefully 4
departed this earthly life on January 1, 2025, just weeks shy of his 100th birthday; and 5
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison experienced the early loss of his mother at 6
the age of four, and thereafter spent his formative years with his grandmother in Bagdad, 7
Kentucky, and in Louisville and Lexington with his father, where he fondly recalled his 8
time growing up on Ohio Street and his education at Constitution School, Russell School, 9
and the original Dunbar High School; and 10
WHEREAS, having been drafted and inducted into the United States Navy on July 11
4, 1943, William Hartford Ellison honorably served his country during World War II, and 12
was stationed in Hitchcock, Texas, and San Bruno, California; and 13
WHEREAS, while serving during World War II, William Hartford Ellison was 14
aboard an attack cargo ship enroute to Japan, where he witnessed the aftermath of the 15
atomic bombing of Hiroshima. He further served in Subic Bay, the Philippines, and again 16
in California. His military records reflect his deep devotion to family through his 17
handwritten request for leave "to go see my family"; and 18
WHEREAS, following his honorable discharge in 1946, William Hartford Ellison 19
embarked on a distinguished 59-year career as a waiter in Lexington, serving patrons at 20
the Lafayette, Campbell House, and Continental Inn hotels, demonstrating a strong work 21
ethic and dedication to service; and 22
WHEREAS, on September 2, 1949, William Hartford Ellison entered into a loving 23
marriage with Ida Lee Hurst, a union that endured for 62 years and five months until her 24
passing. Together they raised three children: Valerie Annette, William Michael, and 25
Jeffrey Alan; and 26
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison exemplified the qualities of a devoted 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 2053
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husband and father, providing unwavering support and care for his family, and 1
demonstrating extraordinary love and compassion by personally caring for his beloved 2
wife during her battle with Alzheimer's disease; and 3
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison was a man of deep and abiding faith, having 4
been baptized into the Evergreen Baptist Church in Lexington in the mid-1950s by the 5
late Reverend G.M. Smith, where he served faithfully as a Sunday School teacher, church 6
treasurer, trustee, and was ordained as a deacon on June 18, 1966; and 7
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison maintained his connection to the Baptist 8
faith when he moved to Texas with his daughter Valerie and her husband George, uniting 9
with Watch Care at Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church in Houston. Upon his return to 10
Lexington, he united by letter with First Baptist Church Maddoxtown, which he attended 11
with his son Jeffrey and daughter-in-law Darcy during the COVID-19 pandemic. After 12
the pandemic, he joined Pilgrim Baptist by Christian relationship; and 13
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison lived his life as a testament to his Christian 14
faith, finding solace and strength in scripture and prayer, and demonstrating a profound 15
spiritual preparation for his eternal life with God; and 16
WHEREAS, in addition to his parents, William Hartford Ellison was preceded in 17
death by his beloved wife, Ida Lee Hurst Ellison; his granddaughter, Rebecca Ellison 18
Wright; and his sister, Anna Louise Weeden; and 19
WHEREAS, William Hartford Ellison leaves to cherish his memory his daughter, 20
Valerie Ellison (George) Wright; sons, William (Tammy) Ellison, and Jeffrey (Darcy) 21
Ellison; sister-in-law, Mildred Rash; brother-in-law, Walter (Connie) Hurst; 22
granddaughters, Mykelle Alicia Ellison (Jayson) Fuller, and Jasai Peters; grandsons, 23
William Benjamin (fiancée, Erika) Wright, Christopher Taylor, and William Michael 24
Ellison; eight great-grandchildren, Breighton Alexandra Fuller, Jayson Alexander Fuller 25
II, Madison Chenault, D'honesty Sloan, Devon "Man-man" Sloan, Christiana Taylor, 26
Milliana Taylor, and Mickila Johnson; a special great-niece, Cherica (Byron) Gay; and a 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 25 RS BR 2053
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host of other relatives and friends; 1
NOW, THEREFORE, 2
Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of 3
Kentucky: 4
Section 1. The Senate hereby expresses its most profound sympathy upon the 5
passing of William Hartford Ellison. 6
Section 2. When the Senate adjourns this day, it does so in honor and loving 7
memory of William Hartford Ellison. 8
Section 3. The Clerk of the Senate is directed to transmit a copy of this 9
Resolution to Senator Reginald Thomas for delivery to the family. 10