William “Bill” Cullan Morris, 70, a resident of Oxford, formerly of Granite City, Illinois, and Tomah, Wisconsin, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017, after a lengthy battle with cancer. His time in Oxford was short lived but he managed to capture the hearts of many he met during his time here.

A father first, Bill was also a Vietnam War veteran where he served two tours in the Army. Born on May 28, 1946 to LeRoy and Kitty Morris, he was one of seven children. He grew up service oriented and often engaged in ways to give back to his community and nation.

Retired from the Army after 22 years as a Chief Warrant Officer, Bill went on to a career with LifeTouch and Olan Mills as a marketing representative but also stayed active with non-profit work in his community including the VFW Post 113, Kiwanis, 4H Club and helping establish the Boys and Girls Club in his community. During his time in Oxford he also provided advice on running a non-profit for the Oxford Film Festival.

He taught many a family member and friend some tips about cooking, or how to make the perfect margarita. He often shared advice from his many years of experience working with non- profits, serving in the Army, or just from general life wisdom. He gave as much as he could to others and was determined to make sure no one ever felt left out.

He joined social media only a few weeks before his death as he continued to show an interest in the world around him and his last post on New Year’s Eve spoke only of how grateful he was for those who showed him kindness and a humility and respect for prayer and God. A devout Catholic, he was grateful for the support of Father Joe Tonos and the Catholic family he found in Oxford. Before that he had been a member of the Holy Family Catholic Church in Granite City, Missouri.

He is survived by his son William C. Morris Jr. and his family of Wichita, Kansas, daughters; Cyndi Morris of Evansville, Indiana, and Susan Cochems and family of Tomah, Wisconsin; ex-wife Jane Morris of Tomah, Wisconsin; sister Lynda S. Addington and family of Oxford; brothers, LeRoy David Morris of Jackson, Donald Morris and family of Olive Branch, Richard Morris of Pine Crest, Missouri, Timothy Morris of Albuquerque, New Mexico, 10 grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son, Todd Michael Morris and a sister, Brenda Janet Carrington.

The funeral service will be held Monday, Jan. 30, 2017, at Irwin Chapel Funeral Home in Granite City, Illinois at 1 p.m. Visitation will take place beginning at 12 p.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Jefferson Barracks Memorial Cemetery in St. Louis, Missouri. Waller Funeral Home is in charge of local arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Veteran Assistance Foundation, 312 Superior Avenue, Tomah, WI 54660.

For additional information or to sign an online guestbook, please visit www.wallerfuneralhome.com or call 662-234-7971.