Wasilla resident, Bruce H. Ellison, 83, died Saturday, Nov. 17 from complications of pneumonia at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center in Palmer.

A celebration of Bruce’s life will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday at the Silverfox Inn, Mile 50 Parks Highway in Wasilla. Military honors will be performed at 2 p.m. by the American Legion Post 35. Following the military honors will be a gathering of friends and a memorial potluck.

Bruce was born Jan. 27, 1925 in Norfolk, VA. He joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and served as a fighter pilot during WWII. He was shot down and spent two years as a prisoner of war. Bruce was honorably discharged from the U.S. Air Force in 1952. He took up boating and became an accomplished captain, obtaining an Unlimited Tonnage, Motor, Sail and Steam Captain’s license. In 1975, Bruce met Rozella Bates in Florida and they married in 1980. They spent 15 wonderful years together before she preceded him in death in 1990. He moved to Alaska in 1991 to be with his late wife’s children and family. Ellison was a member of the American Legion Post 35, the V.F.W. Post 9365 and the AmVets Post 11. He enjoyed fishing, gun collecting, reading and socializing with friends. Bruce was an avid pool player, shooting in both the VNEA Pool League and the Tuesday Night Valley League over the past 15 years. He will be forever loved, remembered and will be dearly missed.

Bruce was preceded in death by his wife, Rozella Ellison. He is survived by his stepchildren, Brian F. Bates, Mitchell Cutshall and Shirley Austin.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Mat-Su Regional Homecare and Hospice, 950 East Bogard Road, Suite 132, Wasilla, AK 99654.

Arrangements were by Valley Funeral Home & Crematory.