Reverend William Ellis Chasteen Jr., age 86, of Rossville, GA, departed this life, Wednesday December 30, 2020 at his home surrounded by his loving family.  Ellis was born June 20, 1934 in Dalton, Georgia, a son of the late Reverend William Ellis "Bill" and Exie Louise Roper Chasteen.  He was also preceded in death by his first wife, Jeanette Rogers Chasteen on March 1, 1999, his brothers, Melvin Chasteen and Leroy Chasteen.

Ellis answered his call to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ at the early age of thirteen and was ordained at Lindsey Memorial Baptist Church in Rocky Face, Georgia, when he was only seventeen.  He pastored many churches over the years and at the time of his death was the Senior Pastor at Trinity Baptist Church in Ringgold, Georgia.

He is survived by his devoted wife of twenty years, Emily Maxwell Chasteen of the residence; daughters and sons-in-law, Sue and James Burk of Ringgold, GA, and Lisa and Jesse Ledford of Lafayette, GA; sons and daughters-in-law, Reverend Eddie and Andrea Chasteen of Oak Ridge, TN and Reverend Wayne and Cathy Chasteen of Chickamauga, GA; step-son, Jason Ogle of Chattanooga, TN; grandchildren, Christopher and Taylor Davis, Joshua and Hunter Davis, James Burk, Sandra and Randy Montgomery, Blake Edward Chasteen and Jessica and Jaime Alvarez; sister, Loretta Harry of Alabama; sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Belvie Chasteen of Cleveland, TN, Yvonne and John Burgess of Dalton, GA, and Naomi and Don Rich of Resaca, GA; a number of great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.  A special thanks goes to his granddaughter, Sandy Montgomery for her loving care and devotion to her grandfather during his illness.

Services to celebrate the life of Reverend William Ellis Chasteen, Jr., will be held Saturday, January 2, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Ponders Melrose Chapel with his sons, Reverend Eddie Chasteen and Reverend Wayne Chasteen officiating.   He will be laid to rest with his first wife at the West Hill Cemetery with his pastor, Reverend Waymon Chamber officiating. His grandson and great-grandsons, James Burk, Dylan Burk, Blake Chasteen, Shane Putnam, Joshua Davis and Christopher Davis will be honored to serve as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Ponders Melrose Chapel from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Friday and after 11:00 a.m. Saturday until the service hour.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.pondersfuneralhome.com .
Arrangements by, Ponders Melrose Chapel 138 Melrose Drive Dalton, GA 30721, 706-226-4002
www.selectedindependentfuneralhomes.org and www.ogr.org