Dr. William T. Ely, Elizabethton, went peacefully into the arms of Jesus in the early morning hours of Saturday, May 11, 2019, with family by his side. He had a long and fruitful life that touched many people. He was a soft-spoken man and all who knew him loved him for his gentleness and kindness.
Dr. Ely was preceded in death by his wife of 64 years, Alice Joan Zimmerman Ely; his daughter, Debi Taylor; his son, Greg Ely; his parents, OT and Margaret Smiley Ely; and his brother, Robert Ely.
Survivors include his daughter, Pat Church, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Born May 1, 1932 in Jefferson City, Mo., Bill went on to serve in the U.S. Army at Fort Smith, Ark., and then earned his Doctorate in Chemistry at Carnegie Tech in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Bill worked for several years as a research chemist for Parke-Davis in Detroit, Mich., before accepting a position with Great Lakes Bible College in Lansing, Mich., where he taught science, logic and ethics.
There was a celebration of Bill’s life at Valley Forge Christian Church on Wednesday, May 15, at 10 a.m. The family wishes to express a very special thank-you to the staff of Signature Health Care for their loving care and to the members of Valley Forge Christian Church, along with Minister David Siebenaler, for their love and support. Condolences may be sent to the family at our website at www.memorialflelizabethton.com.
Memorial Funeral Chapel is assisting the Ely family.