William Paul Elledge
William Paul Elledge, 94, of Breckenridge, passed away on April 12, 2021, at his residence. Funeral services for Paul will be held at 10 a.m. on April 17, 2021, with Chuck Loggains officiating the service. Interment will follow the service at the Woodson Cemetery under the direction of the Melton Kitchens staff.
Paul was born October 6, 1926, in Alba, Texas, to parents William and Pearl Elledge. Being raised during the depression afforded him and his family to have good work ethics. Having no present father growing up, Paul being the eldest he was expected to take care of his siblings and to learn on his own to fix about anything to keep things going for the family. From the young age of 16 years old, he worked for the FAA. Paul served in WWII in the army and, after discharged, went back to work for the FAA until his retirement in 1981. During his employment with the FAA, he was certified to work on basically anything electronic. From runway lights to the Vortex, he had worked on all aspects of projects in his career. He met his wife Glennie Vernell in Odessa in the early ’40s at a local Rexall Drug. They were married for over fifty years until her passing. People from the neighborhood would always know to stop by and ask questions on how to fix something they had which wasn’t working correctly.
There was nothing he didn’t know about electrical wiring and AC/Heating. While raising his own family in Fort Worth in the Greenfield Acres neighborhood, his home was the first to have air conditioning. After hours from his job, Paul would make extra money by installing air conditioning units in the neighbors’ homes.
He was known to have the gift of gab. Paul loved to tell stories to any captive audience, whether it be at the local Pam’s Café every morning for breakfast or just a stranger in passing. His favorite audience was his family and grandchildren. They would get to hear his stories all the time, some of which they knew was bull but listen intently anyway. After retirement, he began fixing go-carts for the grandchildren and later the great-grandchildren. It was something the kids loved and will always hold as fond memories.
From his Sunday school class, Rough Necks, hunting arrowheads, and trips to the coast to catch the “big one,” these were some of the many things Paul enjoyed in his long life. Above all else, though, he loved his wife deeply. Her loss was never really overcome. Today the two are rejoined again in a beautiful place in heaven. Gone but not forgotten. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Glennie Vernelle; one son, Christopher Mark Elledge; and one brother, Tex Elledge.
Paul is survived by his daughters, Paula Kunkel and husband Harold of Breckenridge, Tina Taylor of Fort Worth, Donna Thurman and husband Scott of Big Spring, and Sonja Elledge Sain and husband Randy of Euless; one brother, John Elledge of Odessa; multiple loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren; along with many friends here in the town that he loved.
Memorials can be made in Paul’s name to the Woodson Cemetery and can be left at the Melton-Kitchens Funeral Home. Condolences can be made at meltonkitchens.com.
