Benjamin Battaile "Benny" Morris

1927 - 2024

MORRIS, Benjamin Battaile "Benny", 96, of Montross, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 20, 2024. Born on May 6, 1927, Benny was a lifetime resident of Westmoreland County, and grew up attending Popes Creek Baptist Church with his family. As an adult, he became a member of St. James Episcopal Church. He was a proud U.S. Navy Veteran, having served during WWII in the South Pacific. After the war, Benny with his brother Jackie and their father, founded Northern Neck Lumber in 1951. Benny was active in the community, and was a member of the American Legion, the Masons, Ducks Unlimited, and had served on the Board of the Bank of Montross. An avid outdoorsman, Benny enjoyed hunting waterfowl, fishing, playing golf, and loved bird hunting, especially quail. He loved his family and friends and loved sharing his favorite jokes and stories.

Benny is survived by his wife Isobel "Middy" Morris; daughter Judith M. Harding (Breezy); sons, John D. Morris (Penny), and R. Kennon Morris (Michele); grandchildren, Battaile Fauber, Sarah Harding, Brooke Harding, Benj Harding, Carlin Morris, Lacey Nietzey, Cole Morris, Alex Lanks, and Tori Dickerson; 14 great-grandchildren; stepchildren, June Burgess (Rudy), and Will Henley (Jennifer); step-grandchildren, Lilly Tyson, Nicole Burns, Christiana Dominguez, Ben Henley, Zack Henley, and Kayla Milligan; and one step-great-grandchild. Benny was preceded in death by his parents, John Hart Morris, Jr., and Evelyn Battaile Morris; his son, Benjamin Battaile "Bat" Morris; a sister, June Morris; and his brother, John Hart Morris, III.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at St. James Episcopal Church, with Rev. Alan Hooker and Pastor Thomas Preston officiating, with interment to follow in the St. James Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 26, 2024, from 5 to 7 p.m., at the Welch Funeral Home, Montross Chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested memorial contributions may be made to the Westmoreland Volunteer Fire Department or to St. James Episcopal Church.