William "Bill" Edward Morris, 78, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on Monday, August 29 in Canton, GA.
Bill was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wyman Morris and grew up in Dawson, Georgia. During his childhood, he attended Terrell County schools and was a member of the Boy Scouts of America where achieved the coveted rank of Eagle Scout. He attended Oxford at Emory and graduated from Valdosta State University. After college, Bill enlisted in the Navy, earned his Aviator 'wings,' and became an F-8 Crusader jet pilot, proudly wearing the callsign of 'Redneck.' He attended Fighter Weapons School in Miramar, California and served in the Vietnam War on the USS Bon Homme Richard.
Bill left the Navy in 1971 and moved to Atlanta, Georgia where he worked in real estate. It was at the Atlanta Ski Club where he met, Margie West, the love of his life, who later became his bride. The couple moved to Dawson and Bill joined Stevens Industries working in sales and logistics. He later joined Golden Peanut in Alpharetta, Georgia in that same capacity from where he retired in 2010. In retirement, Bill and Margie moved to Big Canoe, Georgia and resided there until moving to Canton, Georgia.
Bill was known by his friends as a bit of a prankster, always loving a good joke and a great laugh. He was a true South Georgia outdoorsman who loved hunting and fishing. On the weekends and in retirement, you could always find him on the golf course or at the driving range.
Bill loved his family dearly and is survived by his wife, Margaret West Morris; daughter Mackenzie Morris Housman, son-in-law Ryan Housman, and grandson Luke Housman of Sandy Springs, Georgia. He is preceded in death by his brother, Dexter Morris; his father, Wyman Morris; and his mother, Lillian Tipper Morris.
Visitation will be Wednesday, August 31 from 6-8pm at Darby Funeral Home in Canton, Georgia. Funeral services are set for Thursday, September 1 at 2pm at Canton United Methodist's Mcfather Chapel. Interment will be at the Georgia National Cemetery on Tuesday, September 6 at 2:30pm. If you wish to attend the interment, please arrive at Darby Funeral Home by 1:00pm for the processional.
Memorials may be made to the Dawson United Methodist Church in Dawson, Georgia or the Canton United Methodist Church in Canton, Georgia.