Ellwood James Sharpe, 82, died peacefully on Wednesday, September 5, 2012. He was born in Racine, Wisconsin, on February 14, 1930, to Ellwood Bayard and Isabelle Margaret (Parman) Sharpe. In 1949, Ellwood enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the 97th Air Refueling Squadron. Afterwards, he became a pilot for the Johnson Wax Company and also spent many years operating heavy construction equipment. He lived in Racine until 1970 when he moved to Golden, Colorado. In 1981, he moved to Lewiston, Idaho, then to Lewellen, Nebraska, in 1991, and finally to Hill City, South Dakota, in August 2007. Ellwood remained an avid airplane enthusiast his entire life. He built his own airplane and flew for the Colorado Civil Air Patrol. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing and driving his tractor. Mostly, Ellwood loved his wife, children and grandchildren; he will be missed very much by all. Survivors include his wife, Carol Sharpe of Hill City; children (and spouses) Kenton Sharpe of Ogallala, NE, Terri (George) MacFarlane of Two Harbors, MN, Kim Sharpe (Clay Young) of Fort Collins, CO, and Kelly Sharpe of Lincoln, NE; sister, Isabelle M. (Charles) Law, Union Grove, WI; brother, Deane D. Sharpe, Racine, WI; 11 grandchildren - Crystal (MacFarlane) Bosshart, Roxanne (MacFarlane) Frederick, Tiffany (MacFarlane) McCabe, Tanya MacFarlane; Kyle, Blake and Chad Moyer; Amber, Cassie, Lyndsey and Hannah Mickle; and seven great grandchildren - Eva, Davin, Brooklyn and Sarah Bosshart; Millie and Austin Frederick; and Tristan McCabe. His parents and a younger brother, Donald Sharpe, preceded him in death. Cremation has taken place and a private memorial will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery. Family and friends will gather to share stories and reminisce about Ellwood on Friday, September 28, 4-7pm, at the Hill City Senior Center, 227 Walnut Street.