ROBERT ELLIS JR.

Reflections of a Blessed Life

Robert Ellis Jr., “Billy”, was born on November 14, 1940 to Robert Ellis Sr. and Mamie Williams in Uniontown, Alabama.

He attended Western Olin (P.D. Jackson-Olin) High School in Birmingham, Alabama, where he had several passions: singing, playing football as the star running back, and mastering his trade as a welder. Billy could often be found on the street corners singing doo-wop songs or competing in talent shows against two upperclassmen, Eddie Kendricks and Paul Williams, who would later leave for Detroit to become members of the Temptations.  His speed on the gridiron earned Billy a new nickname in the media, the “Fastback” of Western Olin. He was so athletic, he played offense, defense, and special teams. After graduating high school in May 1960 with his diploma and a welder’s certification, he started pursuing other passions.

Birmingham in the 1960s was not a favorable place for a black man to obtain equitable employment regardless of skill or education. But Billy was not afraid to go where others feared. He applied for a job as a welder-helper at Hayes Aircraft. Everyone told him he would never get hired there because of racism, prejudice, and segregation in the South. To everyone’s amazement, he was hired as the first black welder at Hayes Aircraft because of his training, skill, and certifications. Of course, he experienced the racial slurs and a host of inequities one would expect, but his expertise at his craft could not be denied. He was the first to complete a higher-level certification and was elevated to the role of trainer because he developed into the best welder at Hayes Aircraft.

Billy professed Jesus as Lord and was an active member of New Hope Baptist Church, under the leadership of Pastor Herman Stone. During this season, he discovered a new passion: his love for Barbara Jean Scales, the love of his life. After a storied romance, they were married on March 8, 1963. Billy and his beautiful wife, Barbara, had three children, Darin Wayne, Robert Anthony, and Nikita Lynn. The family later moved to Chicago, Illinois in search of a better life “up north”.  He worked at U.S. Steel in Gary, Indiana for over 30 years and was always happy to share funny stories with you about his experiences, regardless of how many times he’d already told you the same stories.

Billy discovered one of his favorite hobbies in the 1970’s when he joined a van club. He really loved his blue Dodge Maxi van, nicknamed “Blue Max,” but he enjoyed talking on his CB radio even more. His callsign was 284, and when “Skip” was rolling, it meant the airways were just right to talk to anyone, anywhere and then he’d become “284 World-Wide”. He enjoyed building his own amplifiers and installing boom antennas that were so powerful, he would key his mic and every television on the block would go out. He continued to build amplifiers for himself and other CB enthusiast until his sight started to fail.

He retired early due to ongoing challenges with high blood pressure, Afib, glaucoma, and congestive heart failure. On February 9, 2025, Billy went home to be with the Lord while being treated at Franciscan Health, Olympia Fields.

Preceding him in death were: His parents, Robert and Mamie Ellis; his wife, Barbara J. Ellis; and his grandson, Darrius Williams.

He leaves to cherish his memories: Sons, Darin W. Ellis and Robert A. Ellis (Melody) of Phoenix, Arizona; daughter, Nikita L. Ellis; sister, Artellia Mae Cole of Birmingham, Alabama; grandchildren, Sheena Q. Waloke of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Quintana F. Cox, Martinique E. Ellis of Kansas City, Missouri, DeAnthony Ellis Sr., and Marshell S. Ellis; great-grandchildren, Demetrist D. Jones, DeAnthony Ellis Jr., and Josiah E. Ellis-Miles; brothers-in-law, David Craig (Carolyn) of Cleveland, Ohio and Carl Davis of Birmingham, Alabama and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and longtime friends.

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