{"url": "https://zh.localwiki.org/api/v4/pages_history/1422482/", "name": "Willie Ellis", "slug": "willie ellis", "content": "
\n\tWillie Ellis (aka Robert Bailey, 12/24/1953 - 06/22/2022) was a much-loved local salesman who would set up his wares on a daily basis at the Lake Merritt\u00a0pergola. People who regularly walk that section of the lake knew him, if not by name, by reputation.\u00a0Willie was often referred to as the Mayor or Greeter of Lake Merritt - a title, well-suited for a gentleman who loved his life at Lake Merritt and had friends from every walk of life.\u00a0
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\n\n\tIn 2016, Willie disappeared and it was feared he had died. A small shrine was erected where he normally worked. 1 It turned out he was severely attacked and robbed in July, and has been recovering at Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro. 2
\n\n\tSadly, on June 22, 2022, Mr. Willie passed away from medical complications related to long-term brain damage that resulted from his 2016 attack.\u00a0If you\u2019d like to help honor and celebrate Mr. Willie, please consider donating to the GoFundMe set up by Willie\u2019s friends to throw him a proper farewell event by the lake where we'll scatter his ashes (date TBD) and to fund a lasting memorial to Willie in \u201chis spot\u201d by the pergola \u2013 hopefully a granite bench, but at the very least, an impressive plaque. The goal is to ensure he can forever remain where we all know he belongs: right by his beloved Lake Merritt.
\n\n\t\t\tLake Merritt street salesman returns from the \u201cdead\u201d East Bay Times September 28, 2016
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