PHILLIPS – Laurence “Ray” Ellis, 82, of Phillips, died Sunday, May 15, at his home in Phillips, following a short illness.

He was born Aug. 27, 1922, in Avon, the son of Thayer J. and Neola (Bubier) Ellis. He was educated in the schools of Rangeley, graduating from Rangeley High School, Class of 1939.

He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, having been stationed in Italy and France from 1942 to 1945, and later belonged to the Maine Army Reserves.

He married Doris Christopher, Feb. 10, 1947, in Farmington. He was employed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Game as a game warden from 1950 to 1977. He later worked as a registered Maine guide, guiding for Grants Camps for many years.

He was a member of Phillips Congregational Church where he and his wife sang in the choir. He also served as a deacon. He was a charter member of the Phillips Men’s Club where he was past president and treasurer for many years. He served on the maintenance committee for Phillips Community House and the Phillips Planning Board.

He belonged to Mt. Blue Masonic Lodge 67 AM & FM, where he was past master and chief cook for Masonic suppers. He was a member of the Phillips Chamber of Commerce, where he cooked the chicken and beans for the Phillips Old Home Days. He was past worthy patron of the Order of the Eastern Star.

He was an avid sportsman. He also was a member of the State Trappers Association and Western Mountain Retirees, M.S.E.A.

He is survived by his wife, Doris Ellis, of Phillips; two sons, Michael and his wife, Patsy, of Phillips and Nathan and his wife, Karen, of Brentwood, N.H.; four brothers, Richard Ellis, Delbert Ellis, Brian Ellis and Kirk Ellis, all of Rangeley; two grandsons, Kyle Ellis of Wilton and Corey Ellis of Phillips; two granddaughters, Jennifer Merriam of Portsmouth, N.H., and Kera Ellis of Phillips; and one great-grandson, Tyler Merriam of Portsmouth, N.H.

He was predeceased by a brother, Bruce Ellis; and a sister, Annabelle Clark.

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