John William Morris Jr.

1918 - 2014

John William "Bill" Morris, Jr. (Lt. Colonel USAF Retired), 96, of Simsbury, beloved husband of Mary Jane (Dore) Morris passed away peacefully Tuesday, August 26, 2014 at River Ridge of Avon. Born July 22, 1918 in Canaan, CT, Bill graduated from North Canaan High School in 1936 and Manhattan College in 1940. During World War II, Bill served as a Supply Officer in the then Army Air Corp stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in Mojave, CA He continued to serve as a reserve officer for 20 years, rising to the rank of Lt. Colonel in the USAF. Most of Bill's business career was in sales, first with Autographic Business Forms followed by Baltimore Business Forms and TAB Products. While he took up golf later in life, it became his passion in retirement particularly with the Geritol Swingers aka Codgers of Simsbury Farms. Besides his parents, his sister Eileen Hayes predeceased him. He is survived by his wife Mary Jane, the love of his life and partner for 71 years, and their five sons, J. William Morris, III and his wife Barbara of San Francisco, CA, Thomas Dore Morris and his wife Ann Marie of Plainville, MA, Jeffrey Lyons Morris and his wife Joni of Simsbury, Paul Duane Morris and his wife Theresa of Raleigh, NC, and Timothy James Morris and his wife Lynn of Granby, ten grandchildren and six great grandchildren. The family is deeply appreciative of the love and care provided to Bill by Alice Roberts for the last four years of his life and by the many caring personnel at River Ridge of Avon, their residency for the last seven years. The family will receive friends at the Church of Saint Ann, 289 Arch Road in Avon on Friday, August 29th at 10:00 AM followed by a Mass of Christian Burial being celebrated at 11:00 AM. Burial will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or at www.woundedwarriorproject.org. The Vincent Funeral Home of Canton is caring for the arrangements. Please visit Bill's "Book of Memories" at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online condolences.