Edward William "Bill" Morse Jr.

1943 - 2022

Edward William 'Bill' Morse Jr.
Born: January 27, 1943 in Oak Park, IL
Died: September 26, 2022 in Barrington, IL
Edward William "Bill" Morse, Jr. 79 of Algonquin passed away peacefully on September 26, 2022 in Barrington, Illinois with his wife by his side.
Bill was born to Dorothea Pinkert Morse and Edward William Morse.
He grew up on the family farm in Hampshire, IL. He proudly graduated from Culver Military Academy in 1961 and attended Northwestern University. He also attended law school for two years, and later joined his father to run the family business, Morse Insurance in Dundee. In 1973 he married Sylvia Lowe. In 1977 their daughter Mary Beth was born. They divorced in 1983, and together co-parented and raised Mary Beth. Bill met Kathy Burger LaSpina in 1990 and they were married in 2000.
Bill was actively involved in the Dundee Jaycees, and fondly remembered being a part of a successful annual fundraiser known as the Buffalo Roast. He also became interested in local issues and community service. He served as President of Community Unit District 300 School Board and was elected to serve as the Kane County Board Representative for Rutland Township for ten years. While on the County Board he chaired several committees.
In 2005, Bill and Kathy retired to St. Augustine, Florida and subsequently Green Cove Springs, Florida. They returned to Illinois in 2019 due to health issues. Bill loved nature and being out in it. In particular he loved trees, bird watching, animals, hiking, fishing, and dogs. Bill and his last dog, Clyde, a 150 pound Leonberger, became local celebrities in Florida. Clyde was trained as a Therapy and Paws to Read dog with Bill as his handler. They visited hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and their favorite destination, the library in the tiny town of Melrose, FL near Gainesville. They were known as "Clyde, The Wonder Dog" and Mr. Bill. Children that sought more strength and confidence in their reading skills could read aloud to Clyde without risking judgment or possible embarrassment. Bill and Clyde proudly marched together in town parades and were well known in local big box stores and grocery stores, banks, hardware stores, etc.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents Edward and Dorothea Morse.
Bill is survived by his wife Kathy, by his daughter, Mary Beth Sherrod (Mark) of Black Hawk, CO and her children Lena Warren of Honolulu, HI, and William Hale Warren of Black Hawk, CO, his sister Barbara Dana (Chuck) of Algonquin and their son Chip Dana (Rosie) of Leverett, Massachusetts.
He is also survived by his stepdaughters Karen Nash Carmichael (Jason) of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Elizabeth Nash Hill of Algonquin, and Megan Nash Caudill (partner Michael Sheridan), of Algonquin.
Grandchildren: Lena and Hale Warren, Step grandchildren: Alex, Peter, Olivia and Sydney Carmichael, Katelyn and Logan Caudill, and many first and second cousins, and friends.
To honor Bill's wishes, there will be no wake or funeral. The family will have a celebration of Bill's life at a later date.
Bill's family would like to thank the staff at Alden Estates of Barrington for the excellent care they provided for the three years Bill was a resident there, and Family Hospice for the care and comfort they provided to both Bill and his family.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in both Bill and Clyde's names to The Melrose Library at 312 Wynnwood Ave, Melrose, FL 32666 (352) 475-1237.
Memorial donations can be made in Bill's name for the Pingree Grove Forest Preserve by calling District Headquarters, (630) 232-5980, Forest Preserve District of Kane County at 1996 South Kirk Road, Suite 320, Geneva, IL 60134.