Bill and Isabel Ellis of Napa celebrated 60 years of marriage on Jan. 21, 2006. A family dinner was held at their daughter and son-in-law's home, honoring the couple, and at the same time, celebrating their granddaughter Jenny's birthday.

Bill and Isabel were married Jan. 17, 1946, in Penn Yan, N.Y. Photos were on display from the time of their courtship and wedding in New York and their honeymoon at Niagara Falls. Since then, the couple has lived in Napa for 53 years.

Isabel enjoys collecting, listening to music and spending time with friends and family. Before marriage, she worked in child care and for the government during World War II.

Bill enjoys gardening and helping friends and family with repairs and special projects. He was a Master Sergeant in the Army Air Force from 1942 to 1945, serving as crew chief in China. He then worked at Mare Island from 1947, retiring in 1975.

The couple's children are Bud and Sharon Ellis of Napa and Diane and David Pearce of Napa. They have two grandchildren, Jenny Sparks (Kevin) of Sonoma and Chrissy Pearce of Michigan. They currently have one great-grandchild, two-year-old Jakob Sparks, with another one on the way, due in March.