Mr. Billy "Bill" Morse, 79, of Morris, Ill., passed away peacefully Wednesday evening, Jan. 18, 2012, at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center in Joliet, Ill., with his devoted wife and daughters at his bedside.
The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, until the time of funeral services at noon. The Rev. Dr. Roy C. Backus will officiate in the First Presbyterian Church, 200 E. Jackson St., Morris. Interment with full military honors under the direction of the Morris Color Guard will follow in Sample Cemetery.
Born May 21, 1932, in Reddick, Ill., he was the son of William H. and Ruth Scott Morse. He received his education in the Gardner schools and graduated from Gardner-South Wilmington High School with the Class of 1950. He received a bachelor's degree in accounting from Northern Illinois University in 1963.
Mr. Morse served his country in U.S. Army from May 19, 1954, until his honorable discharge May 1, 1956. He was stationed in Germany.
Bill married the love of his life, Sue Williamson, on Nov. 29, 1958, in the First Presbyterian Church in Evanston, Ill. He was employed as an accountant in the chemical industry.
Bill was a member of the Grundy County Board of Review for 20 years, and took great pleasure in raising horses and farming. He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Morris.
Survivors include his devoted wife of over 53 years, Sue, and their three daughters, Susan (Patrick) Cortesi of Bloomington, Ill., Pamela (Anthony) Overmier of Normal, Ill., and Paula Morse of Bloomington; two grandchildren, Grant Milling of Springfield, Ill., and Leah Overmier, of Normal; one sister, Mary (Donald) Simms of Huntsville, Ala.; along with several nieces and nephews
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters; 11 half siblings; and one Nephew, Dean Larson.
Preferred form of remembrance would be memorial gifts in Bill's memory to the First Presbyterian Church or a charity of the donor's own choosing.
Condolences can be extended online to the family at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
Arrangements were entrusted with U. C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris. For additional information, call the funeral home at (815) 942-0084.