Bill Ellis Barbecue, an Eastern North Carolina barbecue restaurant that has supported racers in NASCAR as well as at Southern National Motorsports Park, closed permanently on Wednesday night.

The closure comes two years after Bill Ellis, the pioneer of the business, passed away.  Despite his death, the restaurant, which had become an institution over the course of 55 years in Wilson, continued to operate.  On Wednesday night, they closed their doors for good.

Bill Ellis Barbecue has supported racers such as Hermie Sadler, Dick Trickle and Greg Sacks in NASCAR throughout the years.  They also sponsored racers at the old Wilson County Speedway and at Southern National Motorsports Park which included Billy Ray Lucas, Randy Renfrow, and Marty Ellis.

Marty Ellis, who was Bill Ellis’ son, raced Late Model Stock Cars at Southern National Motorsports Park prior to his death in 1999.

A newspaper article in The Wilson Times shortly after Bill Ellis’ death in 2017 documented Ellis’ long history of contributions to sports in Wilson County.

 “It is with much regret that we have reached a decision to close Bill’s Barbecue,” a statement from Tanya Neville to The Wilson Times newspaper read. “Against all obstacles, we fought the good fight, but realized it’s time.”

Hermie Sadler reacted to the news of the iconic Wilson County establishment’s closure on Twitter.

Bill Ellis Barbecue has been the venue Southern National Motorsports Park has held its awards banquet at in recent years.  As of now, track owner Michael Diaz has not announced its banquet plans.