William Burke Morris

William “Billy” Burke Morris, Sr., 71, of Winter Park, Florida, passed away peacefully after a short illness, in the wonderful care of Orlando Regional Medical Center Cancer Institute, on Monday, March 23, 2026.

He was born July 12, 1954, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to Philip Eugene Morris, Jr. and Rosemary Burke. Billy, who also went by Bill, grew up in New Orleans and served eleven years in the Army National Guard. Bill enjoyed living life as a free spirit, always looking for the next adventure and riding his motorcycles. He loved the outdoors, scuba diving, live music, playing the guitar, Irish whiskey, shooting firearms and the United States of America. Bill often could be heard talking about the Constitution, current affairs, and politics.

After Louisiana, Bill moved to Florida, where he worked as a Fire Fighter for Lake County, eventually settling in Winter Park with his long-term partner, Judy Utterback, and his beloved dog, Lucy. After firefighting, Bill began working as a Union stage hand, and ultimately a rigger, in the live music and entertainment industry. He had the pleasure of rigging for bands like U2, Tina Turner, Dave Matthews Band, Eric Clapton, Aerosmith, ZZ Top, Metallica, Alice Cooper, Bonnie
Raitt, Tom Petty, Joe Cocker, Kid Rock, as well as hundreds more Broadway shows, Wrestle Manias and festivals throughout the United States, Central and Southern Florida.

Bill was a lifelong Catholic and though his road was hard at times, he had found his way back to Christ and accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior. When asked, he liked to respond, “God and I are great.”

Bill’s last wish was to be brought back to New Orleans, where his final resting place will be St. Patrick’s Cemetery #1, in a designated family plot. A small graveside memorial will be held in the future for his interment.

Bill is proceeded in death by his father, Philip Eugene Morris, Jr.; mother, Rosemary Ann Burke; brother, Patrick Joseph Burke; and sister, Mary Theresa Burke.

Bill is survived by his son, William Burke Morris, Jr. (Jenn), of Lafayette, LA; son, John Patrick Rogers (Paige), of Walker, LA; daughter, Elizabeth “Littie” Rilette, of Katy, TX; longtime partner, Judy Utterback, of Winter Park, FL; grandchildren Savannah, Tyler and Shelby Morris, Brooklyn, Corbin, Raemi, Emelia and Lincoln Rogers, Cairan and Brennan Rilette, step grandchildren Callie and Joey Steff, one great-grandchild Eshter Chambers, nieces, nephews, cousins and a small, tight-knit group of friends and veteran.