William E. Jenkins

William Ellis Jenkins passed away peacefully Sunday, January 10, 2016.

Ellis was born in Eldon, Missouri on February 8, 1931 to Basil Ellis Jenkins and Zella (Stark) Jenkins. His family moved to Kansas City, Kansas when Ellis was 6 years old where he continued to live until he graduated from Argentine High School. He attended Tulsa University on a four year basketball scholarship and played in TU's first appearance in the NIT in New York City in 1953 when Clarence Iba was the coach. He continued to be in touch with all his old team mates and loved to tell "tall tales" about their times together.

At Tulsa University he enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program and upon graduation he entered the Air Force stationed at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado as a 2nd Lt. He also met his future wife, Jean Ann Gentis, at TU and they were married shortly after graduation in 1955 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in July, 2015.

After fulfilling his 2 year assignment with the Air Force, he went to work for Shell Oil Company in 1957 and was transferred to Billings, Montana in the Purchasing Department. During the time they were there, their son, Brad, was born. Later he was transferred to the Tulsa Data Center for five years and then transferred to Houston where he worked in various assignments, one of which was as an Internal Auditor for Shell Oil and retired in 1989 as a Corporate Tax Accountant.

Ellis and Jean returned to Tulsa after his retirement in 1989 and they traveled extensively throughout the U.S. and overseas. Ellis became very involved with the Tulsa University Hurricane Club and the Tulsa University Lettermen's Association serving as Treasurer for over 15 years and President for one year.

He and Jean were also contributors to various TU athletic programs. Ellis was extremely proud of being a TU Letterman and of being a TU grad. He bled "gold and blue" as those who knew him would agree. They attended most of the football and basketball games, at home and away. Ellis also was very honored to have been selected as the recipient of the Paschal Twyman Award in 2001 for his outstanding volunteer work.

Ellis was preceded in death by his son, Brad, and is survived by his wife, Jean, his two sisters and their husbands, Evelyn and Leroy Bowman of Kansas City, Kansas and Thelma and Louis Oswald of Atlanta Georgia; brother in-law, G.K. Gentis of Jenks and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held in the Rose Chapel of Boston Avenue United Methodist Church on Friday, January 15th at 1:00 p.m.. In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to The University of Tulsa Athletic Scholarship Fund or to Boston Avenue United Methodist Church.

Arrangements were entrusted to Schaudt’s Glenpool Funeral Service & Cremation Care. Family and friends may view the obituary and send condolences to the family online at www.schaudtfuneralservice.com