William "Bill" Archie Morris, age 96, passed away peacefully after a short illness on Friday, March 3, 2017.
Bill was born and raised in Frisco City, Alabama. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1940 and was a veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
Assigned to the 5th Air Force during WWII, he served for three years in the Southwest Pacific with the 90th Bombardment Group, the infamous "Jolly Rogers," as a B-24 "Liberator" Crew Chief and Flight Engineer.
His decorations include two Presidential Unit Citation Medals, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with silver star and two bronze stars, the American Defense Service Medal, the National Defense Medal, the WWII Victory Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, the Philippine Independence Ribbon and the Philippine Unit Citation.
Discharged in 1945, Bill began his civil service career, working at Naval Air Station in Pensacola; however, he maintained his Air Force affiliation by remaining in the reserves. He was recalled to active duty in 1951 for the Korean conflict and served as a Crew Chief, Flight Engineer and Instructor. At the war's end, he transitioned to Manpower Management, serving initially as a Technician and subsequently as a Supervisor in six major Air Force Command Headquarters.
He was awarded two Air Force Commendation Medals, the Good Conduct Medal with four bronze clasps and the Air Force Commendation Service Ribbon.
In 1966, after 20 years of active duty service, Bill retired as a Chief Master Sergeant. For the next 22 years, Bill worked as a Manpower Management Analyst and Supervisor at Air Force's Logistics Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio.
Throughout his civil service career, Bill received numerous special achievement awards and on the occasion of his retirement in 1985, he was recognized with the Outstanding Civilian Career Service Award. He served his country a total of 44 years.
Blessed with good health and an insatiable appetite and zest for life, Bill enjoyed a long active and well-deserved retirement, spending his time playing golf, traveling and serving his community and church.
Bill was also passionate about Freemasonry and had been a Mason since July of 1953. He was a member of Pensacola Lodge 42 and Lillian Lodge 925; Scottish Rite Honolulu, Hawaii and Pensacola, Florida; and Shriner Aloha Temple, Hawaii and Hadji Temple, Pensacola. He earned his Blue Lodge 50-year service pin in 2003 and his 50-year Scottish Rite and Shriner service pin in 2012.
He was also a member of the American Legion Chapter 48.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Walter Lafayette and Della Renfroe Morris; his sisters, Inez, Gladys and Mamie; and his brothers, Edward, Leonard, Shannon and Barney.
He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Gladys Baldwin Morris; his son, James R. Morris, colonel, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.) and his daughter-in-law Melinda Gaare Morris; his grandchildren, Aaron, Ashley and Allison; and his great-granddaughter, Alexandrea.
Visitation was held from 9-10 a.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017 at the Lillian Masonic Lodge (12600 S. Perdido St., Lillian) with a service at 10 a.m.
Following the morning service, the Lillian Bayside Baptist Church (Highway 98, Lillian) hosted a celebration of life reception.
Bill was laid to rest at Barrancas National Cemetery (1 Cemetery Rd., Pensacola) at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 10, 2017.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Lillian Baptist Church's Building Fund in Bill's honor since he was a founding member.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes & Crematory Inc., 2551 S. McKenzie St., Foley, AL 36535, www.wolfefuneralhomes.com.
