William Ellis Dobbins, age 72 of Gardendale, departed this life Oct. 2, 2008 after a seven year struggle with the complications of cancer and serious neurological illness. Ellis was a Bell South retiree, Staff manager Central Office Support Network and also a U.S. Military retiree. He was a member of Gardendale Mt. Vernon United Methodist Church and enjoyed the status of lifetime member in the Birmingham Amateur Club where he held several offices and was active for four decades. Previously he served as BSA Scout Master and was a recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. Ellis graduated from Curry High school in Walker County and later earned a B.S. and Master degree in business. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ellis V. Dobbins and Wilma Phillips Dobbins and by his brother, Wendell. He is survived by his wife, Jo Maxwell Dobbins of Gardendale; son, Roland Dobbins of Hong Kong; sisters, Ellen Postalwaite, Opalene Darty, Vaughn Rigsby, Dianna Vines all of Alabama and Cathy Groves of Connecticut. Memorial services will be held on Oct. 8 at 10 a.m. at the chapel of Gardendale Funeral Home with Dr. Rudy Guess and Dr. Lawton Higgs officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. His loss to his family cannot be overstated and the ongoing gracious support of his church and friends sustain us. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to the American Cancer Society. Gardendale Funeral Home, 2214 Decatur Highway, Gardendale, AL 35071, (205) 631-8810, www.GardendaleFuneralHome.com