William Darrell Ellis, 87, passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026. Darrell’s family will host a visitation at 1 PM prior to the Memorial Service at 2 PM, on Saturday, March 14th at the First Baptist Church in Brownfield, Texas.
Darrell Ellis was born November 25, 1938 in Lubbock, Texas to T Ellis and Leta Mae Cook. He attended Monterey High School and went on to attend Lubbock Christian University. On July 1, 1961, he married Joyce Beth Messenger and they began a life together that blessed them with 2 children.
Darrell was a member of the 101st Airborn Unit, “The Screaming Eagles”. He worked for Bell Milk delivering milk in Brownfield, TX. He later became a farmer, a lifestyle he continued for 42 years. After his retirement, Darrell enjoyed doing woodworking. He won several awards for his crafts in the local fairs. He made walking ducks for fundraisers for MDA and his generosity helped raise money to send kids to MDA camps.
Darrell never met a stranger and visited many people in Brownfield. He always invited people to attend church with him and Joyce at First Baptist Church Brownfield, where they were members for over 62 years.
Darrell is survived by his loving wife, Joyce Beth Messenger of Brownfield; son, Todd Ellis (Lisa) of Seminole; daughter, Kelly Ellett (Chris) of Brownwood; granddaughter, Kristin Carter of Arlington; granddaughter, Chyanne Ellett of Baton Rouge, LA.; grandson, Landon Ellis of Granby, CO.; and great- grandson, Carson Gardner of Arlington.
Darrell is preceded in death by his parents, T and Leta Ellis; brother, Ronald Ellis; and sister, Barbara T Carter.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to MDA at https://www.mda.org/
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net
