Sgt. Jesse W. "Bill" Morris

WINDSOR - Sgt. Jesse W. "Bill" Morris, 89, of rural Windsor, Illinois, passed away at 4:22 a.m., Thursday, April 24, 2008, at his residence. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 26, 2008, in the Swengel - O'Dell Funeral Home of Neoga, Illinois, with the Rev. Kathy Lewis and the Rev. Carroll Lewis officiating. Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 25, 2008, at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Helton Cemetery near Middlesworth, Illinois. Military services conducted by the Shelby County Honor Guard. Bill was born August 13, 1918, in Humboldt, Illinois, the son of Jessie E. and Clotilde (Wampler) Morris. Bill married June Helton December 25, 1943, in Arcola, Illinois. Bill served in the United States Army during World War II. He was a retired farmer and he also worked in the livestock business. He was a member of the Gaskill Methodist Chapel of rural Windsor, Illinois, a member of the National Rifle Association, Original Old Time Fiddlers Association, a thirty year member of the Moonlighters Band of Arthur, Illinois, Edgewood Opry for several years, a member of the Pinochle Group for several years. He leaves his wife, June Morris of rural Windsor, Illinois; one son, W. D. "Bill" Morris and wife Brenda of Neoga, Illinois; two daughters, Judy Baker and husband Charles of rural Windsor, Illinois and Karen Cole and husband Tom of rural Windsor, Illinois; one brother, James A. Morris of Arcola, Illinois; ten grandchildren, Debbie Cooper and husband Chuck, Angela Baker, Chris Baker, Beau Morris and wife Kinda, Brooke Hoene and husband Andy, Brittiney Morris, Amy Williams and husband Kyle, Sean McQueen, Amber Holthaus and husband Mike, and Dustin Cole; seven great-grandchildren, Tyler, Kirsten, Rachel Cooper, Jessica, Kendall Morris, Drew Hoene, Braylon Williams. Mr. Morris was preceded in death by his parents, and one sister, Florence Evelyn. Bill enjoyed singing and visiting with family and friends. Memorials may be made to the Gaskill Methodist Church of rural Stewardson, Illinois, and to the Lincoln Land Hospice.