William Cloys Morehead

Morehead, William Cloys
Jun. 28, 1938 - Feb. 10, 2015
William Cloys Morehead, 76, of Venice, Florida, died on Feb. 10, 2015. Funeral arrangements by: Toale Brothers Ewing Chapel.
Bill Morehead, 76, of Venice, formerly of Illinois and Cincinnati, OH, died at home with his wife by his side after a brief but courageous battle with lung disease. He was predeceased by his parents Gale Cloys Morehead and William G. Morehead, his eldest daughter Deborah Morehead Porter and her husband Russell Porter. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Judith Shuler Morehead. His daughter, Melissa Morehead Carpenter of Towson, Maryland. He is also survived by two adored granddaughters; Alexandria Carpenter and Megan Carpenter. Other survivors include his brother Robert Morehead (Judy) of Murrells Inlet, S.C. and his sister Julia Morehead Bridge (Christopher), Glendale, AZ. and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Born in Union City, TN, his family moved to Chicago and then Western Springs, IL where Bill graduated from Lyons Township High School in 1956. At this time his passion for rocketry developed. He and a partner built a liquid fuel rocket beginning in 1953 when there was little of nothing available to the public for guidelines. They won the Illinois State Academy of Science Award for their endeavor. He attended Purdue University and graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1960. While there he developed another of his favorite activities; entertaining others by singing and playing the banjo. His first group 'The OXMEN' was formed with his Theta Chi Fraternity brothers and they entertained on the Purdue campus. He nurtured his love for music the rest of his life-his last 'gig' was singing and playing with the Gulf Coast Banjo Society at Snook Haven. He graduated from Purdue as a Distinguished Military Graduate and entered the Army where he was assigned to a Nike Missile Battery on the outskirts of San Francisco. Next he was a Test Conductor at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Civilian life found him as a Pentagon Technical Advisor on the Poseidon Missile Project for AVCO Corp. Leaving the corporate world, he founded Morehead Marketing Agency where he combined his creativity, organizational skills and sales talent to manage this successful company for many years. Finding time for recreation, he became a Master Scuba Diver and Dive Instructor. He was a Certified Shark Tank Diver at Cincinnati Aquarium. To conquer his fear of flying, he earned his Private Pilot's License which brought him much joy. His problem solving nature led him to invent the Original Front Pocket Wallet Co. and became a patent holder of three U. S. Patents. Finally, he founded the Front Pocket Wallet Co. which he continued to run after retirement to Venice. Retirement included becoming a Certified Large Sailboat Captain which he enjoyed as a member of the Venice Yacht Club. He golfed for fun and enjoyed Plantation Gold and Country Club where he served as Secretary on the Board of Directors, worked on many committees and as Co- Director of the Plantation Variety shows. His love of life coupled with a strong moral compass and desire to help others made his greatest accomplishment his tenure as Husband, Father, Grandfather, Brother and Friend. A military ceremony and inurnment will be at Sarasota National Cemetery on Friday, March 6 at 3:00P.M. There will be a memorial service at 10:00A.M. Saturday, March 7 at Good Shepherd Episcopal Church on Center Rd. in Venice. A Celebration of Life will follow at Plantation G.& C.C. Friends are invited to join the family at these farewell gatherings. In lieu of flowers, it is suggested that a memorial donation be made to Good Shepherd Episcopal Church or Tidewell Hospice. Toale Brothers Ewing Chapel is in charge of arrangements Sign the guestbook at: herald.com/obituaries.