Bill's BBQ owner dies at 83

Bill Ellis, the longtime owner of Bill’s BBQ in Wilson, has died.

Ellis died in a local hospital after suffering complications related to a broken hip, according to family members. He was 83.

Ellis’ sister-in-law, Tanya Neville, said that Ellis had been in good health until a Feb. 21 fall led to the broken hip and hospitalization.

According to the Bill’s BBQ website, Ellis was born in Wilson County and opened his restaurant in 1963 when he was 29.