W. Everett Ells

Pocatello - William Everett Ells, 95, longtime resident of Pocatello, passed peacefully at home Monday, March 12, 2012 surrounded by his loving family. He was born March 28, 1916 in Hayden, New Mexico a son of Everett Fay and Mary Elura Kerr Ells and was the oldest of four children. Everett's early years were spent on the family's ranch in New Mexico. In his teens he was a cowboy or "drover" of cattle. Beginning with the purchase of a Model T Ford, Everett spent a lot of time working on cars. He entered the University of Idaho Southern Branch, now ISU, Trade Tech School in 1937 in auto body. This is where he met LaVerna Johnson. They were married October 22, 1940 in Logan, Utah. Their marriage was later solemnized in the Idaho Falls Temple. In 1944 during World War II, Everett was drafted into the U.S. Army and shipped to New Caledonia in the Pacific. An accident and serious head injuries led to a prolonged time for Everett in a military hospital near San Francisco. Returning to Pocatello, Everett worked as an auto body man for Hills Brothers Buick for 20 years. When the company was sold he went to work as a custodian for the L.D.S. Church. Born a Lutheran, Everett converted to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served faithfully in many callings. His wife LaVerna passed away January 1, 1986. He met Margie B. Combs a widow with seven children, through the L.D.S. singles group and they were married on April 25, 1987 in the Idaho Falls Temple. He and Margie served 3 missions together and loved to travel. Everett was known as a kind and loving man with a great sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by his family and friends. He is survived by his loving wife Margie, of Pocatello; a daughter Elizabeth Janet (Allen Shane) Foraker, LaLuz, New Mexico; and Margie's children (whom he considered his own) Rosanna (Terry) Andersen, Pocatello, Idaho; David Combs, West Jordan, Utah; Barry (Rita) Combs, Denver, Colorado; Margie Ann (Doyle) Haws, Knab, Utah; Steven (Judy) Combs, Salem, Utah; Blair (Amy) Combs, Pocatello, Idaho; Carolyn (Paul) Seyfried, West Jordan, Utah; a sister Lorene (Bruce) Hall Texas Springs, Colorado; a daughter-in-law, Lenna Ells, Salt Lake City,Utah; 43+ grandchildren, 99+ great-grandchildren and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Wallace Everett Ells, a brother Borden and a sister Katherine. Everett's family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff and care givers at Access Hospice for their loving help as well as the many friends who showed so many acts of kindness. Funeral services will be held Monday, March 19, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the L.D.S. Central Stake Center (225 Oakwood Dr.) with Bishop Gerald Holmes, of the Cedar Second Ward officiating. The family will receive friends this evening Sunday, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Manning-Wheatley Funeral Chapel, 510 N. 12th Ave.. and Monday from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment will be in Restlawn Memorial Gardens with military rites provided by the Pocatello Veterans Honor Guard.