Philip Lee Ellis

Philip Lee Ellis, 82, passed away on January 16, 2018 at his home in Whittier surrounded by his family. Born on February 17, 1935 in Fullerton, Philip was born to parents Marion Lee Ellis & Hazel Marie (Coleman) Ellis. Philip was married to Elizabeth Emma Behrens in Whittier on August 31, 1963 and together they had four children, April, Toya, Andrew and Mark. He was a remarkable man who had a strong spirit and he will be missed by all who knew him.

Phils family moved to Whittier when he was four years old. He grew up attending the Whittier public schools, Lydia Jackson Elementary, Jonathan Bailey Intermediate School and Whittier High School. After graduating from high school he attended Fullerton Community College before entering the University of Southern California where he earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Finance. For a short time after college, Philip worked at Union Bank in Los Angeles before deciding he was ready to start his own business. In 1958, Philip established Ellis Building Maintenance Company, an industrial cleaning service. His business became very successful as he held many large corporate accounts. Once the business began to take off, Philip founded the Ellis Investor Group.

Philip had many interests and passions in his life. He loved to read, especially newspapers and annual reports. He was known to meticulously read every annual Berkshire Hathaway report. He was an avid hiker & backpacker. He loved the outdoors; often taking a fishing trip or going biking or playing a round of golf, most often with his dad. He would keep fit by swimming, and would keep his mind sharp by playing chess. And as a graduate of USC, one of his greatest pastimes was attending USC football games to root for his beloved Trojans.

One of the things that made Philip so successful in life was his involvement in his local community. He was a 45 year member of the First Friends Church of Whittier; former member of the Whittier Rotary Club; board member of the HOW House; provided service to the YMCA by being a YBA couch and Indian guide; and was a member of Toastmasters International. He was the past Director of the USC Commerce Associates; was a board member of the Citrus Packing House in Riverside County; and was a two-time President of the East Whittier Elementary School Board, serving 2 terms from 1977 1985. In addition to all the many organizations he was a part of, Philip was also very active with his sons in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Philip is survived by his wife Elizabeth Ellis; his children, April Ellis, Toya Taylor, Andrew Ellis and Mark Ellis; his siblings, David Ellis, Nancy Knott, Suzanne Ellis; and six grandchildren, Kirsten & Hazel Taylor, Tobias & Abigail Ellis, and Luke & Ava Ellis.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, February 3rd, 2018 at 2:00pm at the First Friends Church, Whittier. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to be made to either Evergreen Hospice (17215 Studebaker Rd., #270, Cerritos, CA 90703) OR to The First Friends Church of Whittier (13205 Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90601). White Emerson Mortuary Assisting 562-698-0304