Ellis was an Army veteran of WWII and was a painting contractor. Ellis was an accomplished restorer of antique autos and won many national and grand national awards for his work. He ws director of the Kaiser-Frazer-Darrin-Willys Club for three terms. He was regional director of teh Antique Auto Club of America for none years. Ellis also was a 50-year member of the Jaffa Sharine, Jaffa Clowns and Jaffa Antique Auto Club. He was an avid big game hunter and live in Alaska for a year.