William Joe Killen & Willis Ellis Killen: Brother's That Murdered

William Joe Killen (Called "Joe") was born 9 AUg 1896 in Reed Harmon, OK. Willis Ellis (called "Ellis") was also born there on 26 Dec 1901. Their parents were William A. Killen (1871-1937) and Martha Elizabeth Ellis (1875-1958). 

Inmate: #10779 New Mexico State Prison
Rec: 26 Feb 1942
Crime: Murder 1st Degree
Term: Life (Commuted by Gov. on 17 Apr 1951 to 40 yrs).

There was no prison record on Ancestry for Ellis
Inmate: #10778 New Mexico State Prison
Rec: 26 Feb 1942
Crime: Murder 1st Degree
Term: Life (Commuted by Gov. on 17 Apr 1951 to 40 yrs).

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46359998/ellis-killen/

They were up for parole in 1955 along with some other undesirables. 

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46360325/ellis-killen/

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46360232/ellis-killen/

Ellis was a director of the Quemado School Board and the bus driver. I sure hope no kids were present during the shooting. The shot 2 Highway Department workmen one 35 and one 45 years old.

Their other siblings were:


William Joe Killen
1896–1969
Willis Ellis Killen
1901–1982
Mary Killen
1904–
Ethlyn Killen
1906–1947
Minnie Ethel Killen
1908–1978
Nona M Killen
1912–2004
Pansy Killen
1915–1999
Woodrow Killen

1918–1979

I didn't find any marriages for Joe but Ellis was married and children at the time of their crimes.

Ellis was married to Elizabeth Myrtle Bailey (1904-1987). They had 4 children.

Ellis was in jail when he filled out his WWII Registration Card.

Ellis died 31 MAr 1982 in Amarillo, TX.

Joe died 1 Jan 1969 in New Mexico.


Taking someone else life is a very personal thing. Tempers flare and you do things you can not take back. I wonder if they felt that way.