Bill Merl Morris

Bill Morris, 92, of Lucerne, MO, passed away at the Putnam County Memorial Hospital in Unionville, MO, on Saturday, June 17, 2017. He had been a patient there about a week.

Billy Merl Morris was born in Lucerne, MO, on October 24, 1924, the son of Jasper Ota and Harriet Jane (Hill) Morris, who preceded him in death. He was reared in the Lucerne area and lived there almost his entire life, moving to Unionville only in his later years. Bill entered the United States Army and served with the 106th infantry during World War II. He fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Bill returned from the service and was engaged in farming around Lucerne until retirement and moving to Unionville. He married Edna Jean Lessy in Unionville, MO, on September 21, 1945, and she survives at home.

Bill was faithfully dedicated to his church and his family. He especially loved playing with his grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting in his younger years and loved to mow yards. Bill was a 50 year Mason and a long-time member of the Lucerne Christian Church.

In addition to his wife, Bill is survived by his four children: Sandra (Danny) Gilworth and Janet (Marty) Schmidt all of Unionville, MO; Kerry (Diane) Morris of Phoenix, AZ; and Kathy (Michael) Koska of Kansas City, MO. His grandchildren are Bill Schmidt, Katrina Gatlin, Ashley Morris, Tracy Alexander, and Tiffany Welch. His great grandchildren are Tristen Miller, Jake Gatlin, Madison Gatlin, Skyler Welch, Aubrey Welch, and Peyton Morris. Bill is also survived by a brother, Jim (Barbara) Morris of Kansas City, MO, and a sister, Willa Dean (Warren) White of Newtown, MO, as well as a sister-in-law, Shirley Morris of Sun City, AZ.

Bill was preceded in death by a son, Tommy Morris, and two brothers, Bob Morris and Sam Morris and sister-in-law Jean Ellen Morris
Funeral services for Bill Morris will be at Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home in Unionville, MO, at 11:00 am on Wednesday, June 21, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Interment will be at the Lucerne Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Lucerne Cemetery and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.