William Ellis Green's Obituary
William Ellis Green passed away in Yuma, AZ on Friday July 20th with his wife and children at his side in the comfort of his own home after a courageous battle with cancer complications.Bill was born February 17th, 1937 in Paoli Oklahoma. His parents were Charles and Sadie Green. Charles and Sadie moved the family off the farm and headed west to California in the mid 1940’s. Bill finished High school in San Diego and shortly afterwards on Halloween night in 1954 he met Donalyn Waud who would become his wonderful wife of almost 62 years. Her Dad “Don” was a big influence on Bill and treated him as a son from the first day they met. Bill shared many wonderful stories about him and Don over the years. Bill and Donalyn were married October 7th, 1956 in San Diego Ca and settled down in El Cajon Ca and raised their family there.Bill worked some odd jobs around San Diego growing up and later Don took him under his wing and taught him how to be a truck driver (Something he loved his whole life). He would drive the truck until the mid 60’s when his late brother Luther Green talked him into becoming a car salesman. He worked at a car dealership that had a few RV’s and he found his niche at that time. Bill was a very well respected man in the RV Industry for many many years. He was the general manager for a large RV dealership in San Diego until 1991. He and Donalyn moved to Yuma AZ after Bill had bought a couple acres along interstate 8 and opened RV World. Their son Mike would join them in 1992. RV World operates today under the principles and guidelines that Bill put in place. Bill cared deeply for all of his employees and their families. He made a point to see each and every one of them as often as possible to make sure they were having a good day and their families were well. Bill didn’t just sell RV’s he believed in the lifestyle and that every family should get out and travel together. He took his family on many RV Vacations. We had the time of our lives in 14 foot travel trailer in the early years and later on he included his grandchildren and the entire family in those travels. He and Donalyn also enjoyed traveling in their motorhome and seeing the sights and visiting family.Family first and having a positive attitude are two things that Bill lived and believed 100% every day of his life and taught it to his family and everyone around him. If you were around Bill, he made you have a positive outlook on everything. There were no strangers in Bill’s life as he made everyone feel like family. He loved his son in laws and daughter in-law unconditionally as one of his own. He was so proud of all his grand children and their accomplishments. He was so happy to a have great grandson recently. He asked about all of them right up to his last days. Our family was so blessed to have William E Green as a husband to our wonderful mother, a father to us three kids, a grandfather to our children and a friend to all that met himBill was preceeded in death by his parents Charles and Sadie Green along with 3 brothers and 4 sisters. Also, his Father and Mother in law Donald and Mabel Waud.He is survived by his wife of 62 years Donalyn , Son, Mike (Kris ) Green , daughters, Cindy (Chuck) Tockstein , Peggy (Wayne) Daunis . 10 grandchildren and 1 great grandson. Also, sister Debbie (Don) Andrews as well 10 nieces and nephews
What’s your fondest memory of William?
What’s a lesson you learned from William?
Share a story where William's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with William you’ll never forget.
How did William make you smile?