Bill J. Ellard
(May 11 1934 - March 16, 2010)
I Feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I Feel Terrific!
Ask Bill Ellard, "How Are You, Today?" and chances are his response would be, "I feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I feel Terrific!
In January, 1973, Bill J. Ellard launched National Teacher Associates, Inc., an insurance agency with one disability insurance policy for teachers, a borrowed desk and chair, a second-hand filing cabinet, and no office employees. Bill and three recruited salesmen set out to sell their $9.00 policy in a snowstorm that closed all the schools in the county. "The only employee in the school was the librarian; I sold her a policy."
When asked when he realized his company was going to be successful, he replied, "There was never a doubt in my mind."
Born May 11, 1934 in a community outside Little Rock, Arkansas, Billy Joe Ellard grew up during The Great Depression. The family struggled to make ends meet. Billy Joe's stepfather, Clarence Wilson was a train conductor and his mother Doris worked odd jobs. Billy Joe and Betty Sue, his older sister by two years, often went without shoes.
Billy Joe or "Joe" as he was known during those years graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1951. College was out of the question without a scholarship so Joe worked odd jobs; construction, truck driving, breaking colts. His passion was rodeo and he spent all his hard earned money going to rodeos where he competed in bronc riding and bull riding.
Joe was a member of the Air National Guard locally. In 1955, he attended NW Community College in Senatobia, Ms. on a football scholarship. Shortly afterwards Joe was drafted into the Army and spent his basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where he was a model soldier receiving a letter of commendation from the Commander General. From there he transferred to Ft. Mead, Maryland until his discharge in Oct, 1958.
Billy Joe returned home to Arkansas and once again took up rodeo as his favorite past time. A bull riding incident side-lined him with broken ribs and a collapsed lung and a rather large hospital bill. His mother told him "You have to get a job!"
In December, 1958, Billy Joe went to the local Snelling and Snelling employment agency and told the interviewer he would do anything except "sell insurance".
However his first job interview was with Combined Insurance Company of Chicago and when the interviewer asked him if he would like to make $30.00-$50.00/day, Joe replied, "Lord yes, what do I have to do?"
January 1, 1959 Billy Joe Ellard became an insurance salesman for Combined Insurance under the tutorage of W. Clement Stone who Bill attributes much of his successes that followed. "I patterned myself and my company after Mr. Stone and the business principles he instilled in me!" And a dynamic salesman Bill became; moving up the ranks from salesman to state sales manager to regional sales manager of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma. In 1970, Bill's region alone wrote more business than the entire teacher division did nationwide the year before. Bill was living in Dallas, Texas.
In 1972 Bill began thinking about starting his own company and in January, 1973, National Teacher Associates, Inc. was launched. Today and many schools later with hundreds of salesmen licensed; a battery of insurance products designed by Bill Ellard; thousands of policy holders; business in all 50 states; a home office with over 150 employees; NTA, Inc., has developed into one of the most
successful privately owned Life Insurance Companies and Agency in the country.
Outside the Corporate world, Bill pursued his passion for ranching. In 1982, EE Ranches, Inc. was formed. Bill and his wife, Jo, has developed nationally acclaimed registered Hereford cattle and Championship Cutting horses. Bill served two consecutive terms on the Executive Board of Directors of the American Hereford Association.
Bill's love for animals and passion for helping underprivileged children have driven his charitable contributions for many years. He has been a major contributor to Hereford and Cutting Horse youth programs, has provided Christmas gifts to Dallas area orphanages, and gifts to animal shelters in addition to major contributions to Dallas organizations.
Bill was a member of Roaring Lambs Bible Study and lived by Godly principles.
Throughout his life, Bill inspired all people to reach higher, achieve more, and be a better person. "Do the right thing because it is the Right Thing To Do." Bill has been an incredible steward of the blessings God bestowed upon him in life and has left the world a better place.
Bill J. Ellard died quietly at home on March 16, 2010. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris G. Wilson and stepfather, Clarence Wilson; by his sister Betty Sue Wilson.
Survivors are his wife, Jo McPhail Ellard; sons Joe Chad Ellard and Brian Mark Ellard; fiancé to Brian, Susan Dunn; granddaughters, Brinson and Campbell.
Winona relatives include Parents In Law, Mr. & Mrs. Gene McPhail, Sisters In Law Jean McPhail McCarty, Gloria McPhail Laudermilk, Leanne McPhail Kendrick, Betty McPhail; Brothers In Law, Bob McPhail, Bobby Kendrick, Ronny McCarty, Steve Laudermilk.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 20th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lee Funeral Home in Winona, MS. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., at Lee Funeral Home in Winona. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
Memorials include:
Compassionate Hands Hospice, 9150 Royal Lane, Suite 160, Irving, Texas 75063
Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Dr. Ext., Jackson, MS 39204
Noahs Ark Animal Shelter, PO Box 405, Gainsville, TX 76241
NYCHA Youth Scholarship Cutting, 260 Bailey Ave., Ft Worth, Texas 76107-1862
American Junior Hereford Foundation, PO Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101.
(May 11 1934 - March 16, 2010)
I Feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I Feel Terrific!
Ask Bill Ellard, "How Are You, Today?" and chances are his response would be, "I feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I feel Terrific!
In January, 1973, Bill J. Ellard launched National Teacher Associates, Inc., an insurance agency with one disability insurance policy for teachers, a borrowed desk and chair, a second-hand filing cabinet, and no office employees. Bill and three recruited salesmen set out to sell their $9.00 policy in a snowstorm that closed all the schools in the county. "The only employee in the school was the librarian; I sold her a policy."
When asked when he realized his company was going to be successful, he replied, "There was never a doubt in my mind."
Born May 11, 1934 in a community outside Little Rock, Arkansas, Billy Joe Ellard grew up during The Great Depression. The family struggled to make ends meet. Billy Joe's stepfather, Clarence Wilson was a train conductor and his mother Doris worked odd jobs. Billy Joe and Betty Sue, his older sister by two years, often went without shoes.
Billy Joe or "Joe" as he was known during those years graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1951. College was out of the question without a scholarship so Joe worked odd jobs; construction, truck driving, breaking colts. His passion was rodeo and he spent all his hard earned money going to rodeos where he competed in bronc riding and bull riding.
Joe was a member of the Air National Guard locally. In 1955, he attended NW Community College in Senatobia, Ms. on a football scholarship. Shortly afterwards Joe was drafted into the Army and spent his basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where he was a model soldier receiving a letter of commendation from the Commander General. From there he transferred to Ft. Mead, Maryland until his discharge in Oct, 1958.
Billy Joe returned home to Arkansas and once again took up rodeo as his favorite past time. A bull riding incident side-lined him with broken ribs and a collapsed lung and a rather large hospital bill. His mother told him "You have to get a job!"
In December, 1958, Billy Joe went to the local Snelling and Snelling employment agency and told the interviewer he would do anything except "sell insurance".
However his first job interview was with Combined Insurance Company of Chicago and when the interviewer asked him if he would like to make $30.00-$50.00/day, Joe replied, "Lord yes, what do I have to do?"
January 1, 1959 Billy Joe Ellard became an insurance salesman for Combined Insurance under the tutorage of W. Clement Stone who Bill attributes much of his successes that followed. "I patterned myself and my company after Mr. Stone and the business principles he instilled in me!" And a dynamic salesman Bill became; moving up the ranks from salesman to state sales manager to regional sales manager of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma. In 1970, Bill's region alone wrote more business than the entire teacher division did nationwide the year before. Bill was living in Dallas, Texas.
In 1972 Bill began thinking about starting his own company and in January, 1973, National Teacher Associates, Inc. was launched. Today and many schools later with hundreds of salesmen licensed; a battery of insurance products designed by Bill Ellard; thousands of policy holders; business in all 50 states; a home office with over 150 employees; NTA, Inc., has developed into one of the most
successful privately owned Life Insurance Companies and Agency in the country.
Outside the Corporate world, Bill pursued his passion for ranching. In 1982, EE Ranches, Inc. was formed. Bill and his wife, Jo, has developed nationally acclaimed registered Hereford cattle and Championship Cutting horses. Bill served two consecutive terms on the Executive Board of Directors of the American Hereford Association.
Bill's love for animals and passion for helping underprivileged children have driven his charitable contributions for many years. He has been a major contributor to Hereford and Cutting Horse youth programs, has provided Christmas gifts to Dallas area orphanages, and gifts to animal shelters in addition to major contributions to Dallas organizations.
Bill was a member of Roaring Lambs Bible Study and lived by Godly principles.
Throughout his life, Bill inspired all people to reach higher, achieve more, and be a better person. "Do the right thing because it is the Right Thing To Do." Bill has been an incredible steward of the blessings God bestowed upon him in life and has left the world a better place.
Bill J. Ellard died quietly at home on March 16, 2010. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris G. Wilson and stepfather, Clarence Wilson; by his sister Betty Sue Wilson.
Survivors are his wife, Jo McPhail Ellard; sons Joe Chad Ellard and Brian Mark Ellard; fiancé to Brian, Susan Dunn; granddaughters, Brinson and Campbell.
Winona relatives include Parents In Law, Mr. & Mrs. Gene McPhail, Sisters In Law Jean McPhail McCarty, Gloria McPhail Laudermilk, Leanne McPhail Kendrick, Betty McPhail; Brothers In Law, Bob McPhail, Bobby Kendrick, Ronny McCarty, Steve Laudermilk.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 20th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lee Funeral Home in Winona, MS. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., at Lee Funeral Home in Winona. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
Memorials include:
Compassionate Hands Hospice, 9150 Royal Lane, Suite 160, Irving, Texas 75063
Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Dr. Ext., Jackson, MS 39204
Noahs Ark Animal Shelter, PO Box 405, Gainsville, TX 76241
NYCHA Youth Scholarship Cutting, 260 Bailey Ave., Ft Worth, Texas 76107-1862
American Junior Hereford Foundation, PO Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101.
Bill J. Ellard
(May 11 1934 - March 16, 2010)
I Feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I Feel Terrific!
Ask Bill Ellard, "How Are You, Today?" and chances are his response would be, "I feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I feel Terrific!
In January, 1973, Bill J. Ellard launched National Teacher Associates, Inc., an insurance agency with one disability insurance policy for teachers, a borrowed desk and chair, a second-hand filing cabinet, and no office employees. Bill and three recruited salesmen set out to sell their $9.00 policy in a snowstorm that closed all the schools in the county. "The only employee in the school was the librarian; I sold her a policy."
When asked when he realized his company was going to be successful, he replied, "There was never a doubt in my mind."
Born May 11, 1934 in a community outside Little Rock, Arkansas, Billy Joe Ellard grew up during The Great Depression. The family struggled to make ends meet. Billy Joe's stepfather, Clarence Wilson was a train conductor and his mother Doris worked odd jobs. Billy Joe and Betty Sue, his older sister by two years, often went without shoes.
Billy Joe or "Joe" as he was known during those years graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1951. College was out of the question without a scholarship so Joe worked odd jobs; construction, truck driving, breaking colts. His passion was rodeo and he spent all his hard earned money going to rodeos where he competed in bronc riding and bull riding.
Joe was a member of the Air National Guard locally. In 1955, he attended NW Community College in Senatobia, Ms. on a football scholarship. Shortly afterwards Joe was drafted into the Army and spent his basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where he was a model soldier receiving a letter of commendation from the Commander General. From there he transferred to Ft. Mead, Maryland until his discharge in Oct, 1958.
Billy Joe returned home to Arkansas and once again took up rodeo as his favorite past time. A bull riding incident side-lined him with broken ribs and a collapsed lung and a rather large hospital bill. His mother told him "You have to get a job!"
In December, 1958, Billy Joe went to the local Snelling and Snelling employment agency and told the interviewer he would do anything except "sell insurance".
However his first job interview was with Combined Insurance Company of Chicago and when the interviewer asked him if he would like to make $30.00-$50.00/day, Joe replied, "Lord yes, what do I have to do?"
January 1, 1959 Billy Joe Ellard became an insurance salesman for Combined Insurance under the tutorage of W. Clement Stone who Bill attributes much of his successes that followed. "I patterned myself and my company after Mr. Stone and the business principles he instilled in me!" And a dynamic salesman Bill became; moving up the ranks from salesman to state sales manager to regional sales manager of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma. In 1970, Bill's region alone wrote more business than the entire teacher division did nationwide the year before. Bill was living in Dallas, Texas.
In 1972 Bill began thinking about starting his own company and in January, 1973, National Teacher Associates, Inc. was launched. Today and many schools later with hundreds of salesmen licensed; a battery of insurance products designed by Bill Ellard; thousands of policy holders; business in all 50 states; a home office with over 150 employees; NTA, Inc., has developed into one of the most
successful privately owned Life Insurance Companies and Agency in the country.
Outside the Corporate world, Bill pursued his passion for ranching. In 1982, EE Ranches, Inc. was formed. Bill and his wife, Jo, has developed nationally acclaimed registered Hereford cattle and Championship Cutting horses. Bill served two consecutive terms on the Executive Board of Directors of the American Hereford Association.
Bill's love for animals and passion for helping underprivileged children have driven his charitable contributions for many years. He has been a major contributor to Hereford and Cutting Horse youth programs, has provided Christmas gifts to Dallas area orphanages, and gifts to animal shelters in addition to major contributions to Dallas organizations.
Bill was a member of Roaring Lambs Bible Study and lived by Godly principles.
Throughout his life, Bill inspired all people to reach higher, achieve more, and be a better person. "Do the right thing because it is the Right Thing To Do." Bill has been an incredible steward of the blessings God bestowed upon him in life and has left the world a better place.
Bill J. Ellard died quietly at home on March 16, 2010. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris G. Wilson and stepfather, Clarence Wilson; by his sister Betty Sue Wilson.
Survivors are his wife, Jo McPhail Ellard; sons Joe Chad Ellard and Brian Mark Ellard; fiancé to Brian, Susan Dunn; granddaughters, Brinson and Campbell.
Winona relatives include Parents In Law, Mr. & Mrs. Gene McPhail, Sisters In Law Jean McPhail McCarty, Gloria McPhail Laudermilk, Leanne McPhail Kendrick, Betty McPhail; Brothers In Law, Bob McPhail, Bobby Kendrick, Ronny McCarty, Steve Laudermilk.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 20th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lee Funeral Home in Winona, MS. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., at Lee Funeral Home in Winona. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
Memorials include:
Compassionate Hands Hospice, 9150 Royal Lane, Suite 160, Irving, Texas 75063
Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Dr. Ext., Jackson, MS 39204
Noahs Ark Animal Shelter, PO Box 405, Gainsville, TX 76241
NYCHA Youth Scholarship Cutting, 260 Bailey Ave., Ft Worth, Texas 76107-1862
American Junior Hereford Foundation, PO Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101.
(May 11 1934 - March 16, 2010)
I Feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I Feel Terrific!
Ask Bill Ellard, "How Are You, Today?" and chances are his response would be, "I feel Healthy! I Feel Happy! I feel Terrific!
In January, 1973, Bill J. Ellard launched National Teacher Associates, Inc., an insurance agency with one disability insurance policy for teachers, a borrowed desk and chair, a second-hand filing cabinet, and no office employees. Bill and three recruited salesmen set out to sell their $9.00 policy in a snowstorm that closed all the schools in the county. "The only employee in the school was the librarian; I sold her a policy."
When asked when he realized his company was going to be successful, he replied, "There was never a doubt in my mind."
Born May 11, 1934 in a community outside Little Rock, Arkansas, Billy Joe Ellard grew up during The Great Depression. The family struggled to make ends meet. Billy Joe's stepfather, Clarence Wilson was a train conductor and his mother Doris worked odd jobs. Billy Joe and Betty Sue, his older sister by two years, often went without shoes.
Billy Joe or "Joe" as he was known during those years graduated from Mabelvale High School in 1951. College was out of the question without a scholarship so Joe worked odd jobs; construction, truck driving, breaking colts. His passion was rodeo and he spent all his hard earned money going to rodeos where he competed in bronc riding and bull riding.
Joe was a member of the Air National Guard locally. In 1955, he attended NW Community College in Senatobia, Ms. on a football scholarship. Shortly afterwards Joe was drafted into the Army and spent his basic training at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas where he was a model soldier receiving a letter of commendation from the Commander General. From there he transferred to Ft. Mead, Maryland until his discharge in Oct, 1958.
Billy Joe returned home to Arkansas and once again took up rodeo as his favorite past time. A bull riding incident side-lined him with broken ribs and a collapsed lung and a rather large hospital bill. His mother told him "You have to get a job!"
In December, 1958, Billy Joe went to the local Snelling and Snelling employment agency and told the interviewer he would do anything except "sell insurance".
However his first job interview was with Combined Insurance Company of Chicago and when the interviewer asked him if he would like to make $30.00-$50.00/day, Joe replied, "Lord yes, what do I have to do?"
January 1, 1959 Billy Joe Ellard became an insurance salesman for Combined Insurance under the tutorage of W. Clement Stone who Bill attributes much of his successes that followed. "I patterned myself and my company after Mr. Stone and the business principles he instilled in me!" And a dynamic salesman Bill became; moving up the ranks from salesman to state sales manager to regional sales manager of Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Oklahoma. In 1970, Bill's region alone wrote more business than the entire teacher division did nationwide the year before. Bill was living in Dallas, Texas.
In 1972 Bill began thinking about starting his own company and in January, 1973, National Teacher Associates, Inc. was launched. Today and many schools later with hundreds of salesmen licensed; a battery of insurance products designed by Bill Ellard; thousands of policy holders; business in all 50 states; a home office with over 150 employees; NTA, Inc., has developed into one of the most
successful privately owned Life Insurance Companies and Agency in the country.
Outside the Corporate world, Bill pursued his passion for ranching. In 1982, EE Ranches, Inc. was formed. Bill and his wife, Jo, has developed nationally acclaimed registered Hereford cattle and Championship Cutting horses. Bill served two consecutive terms on the Executive Board of Directors of the American Hereford Association.
Bill's love for animals and passion for helping underprivileged children have driven his charitable contributions for many years. He has been a major contributor to Hereford and Cutting Horse youth programs, has provided Christmas gifts to Dallas area orphanages, and gifts to animal shelters in addition to major contributions to Dallas organizations.
Bill was a member of Roaring Lambs Bible Study and lived by Godly principles.
Throughout his life, Bill inspired all people to reach higher, achieve more, and be a better person. "Do the right thing because it is the Right Thing To Do." Bill has been an incredible steward of the blessings God bestowed upon him in life and has left the world a better place.
Bill J. Ellard died quietly at home on March 16, 2010. He was preceded in death by his mother, Doris G. Wilson and stepfather, Clarence Wilson; by his sister Betty Sue Wilson.
Survivors are his wife, Jo McPhail Ellard; sons Joe Chad Ellard and Brian Mark Ellard; fiancé to Brian, Susan Dunn; granddaughters, Brinson and Campbell.
Winona relatives include Parents In Law, Mr. & Mrs. Gene McPhail, Sisters In Law Jean McPhail McCarty, Gloria McPhail Laudermilk, Leanne McPhail Kendrick, Betty McPhail; Brothers In Law, Bob McPhail, Bobby Kendrick, Ronny McCarty, Steve Laudermilk.
Funeral services will be Saturday, March 20th, at 10:30 a.m. at the Lee Funeral Home in Winona, MS. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 20, from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., at Lee Funeral Home in Winona. A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held on Sunday, March 28th, at 2:00 p.m. at Bent Tree Country Club in Dallas, Texas.
Memorials include:
Compassionate Hands Hospice, 9150 Royal Lane, Suite 160, Irving, Texas 75063
Mississippi Animal Rescue League, 5221 Greenway Dr. Ext., Jackson, MS 39204
Noahs Ark Animal Shelter, PO Box 405, Gainsville, TX 76241
NYCHA Youth Scholarship Cutting, 260 Bailey Ave., Ft Worth, Texas 76107-1862
American Junior Hereford Foundation, PO Box 014059, Kansas City, MO 64101.
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