William Robert McMorran

I remember how I had a movie night with my dad one time he introduced me to Lord of the Rings. I loved it. I'm so glad he showed me it

I first met William when we were both stationed on the USS Topeka. He was always very upbeat even during tough evolutions such as weapons loads. I remember him cleaning the guns and talking to him in the torpedo room. I was very happy to hear about him making Chief. As a retired Chief myself, I know how hard it can be to achieve. I am not surprised to hear that he went on to become a teacher. I can only hope that his children are with loved ones as they continue their journey. Rest your oars Chief, we have the watch.

Honestly Billy is such a funny person he would always stop to say hi when passing and have a reference or joke to make my day better, we met in an Anthropology course at Tmcc then bonded over our love for skateboards. After class we would skate the empty lots of the school and when there were creeps early morning at the skate park, he would show up and fend them off. He was always happy to help me learn new tricks. I wish I got the chance to show him the sponsorship I got because of his willingness to help me practice.

Hi Billy, It's Meg Shaffer, your writer buddy and fellow Riff Trax and Star Trek nerd on Instagram. Breaks my heart that you're gone. You were one of the good guys.

You were always smiling and one of the nicest guys on the boat. Always there to help and be a good friend/shipmate/someone to look up too. I´ll miss you brother, Rest in Peace

Billy was our first grandchild and what joy and happiness he brought into our lives! As a little fellow he would say to me, "G.G. I made you a Grandma" and.he would add, "and
Doctor Ferris made me a baby."
We loved having Billy in our home for visits and also his three beautiful children.
Life will not be the same without him, we are so proud of him.
Looking forward to the time when we will see him again, in heaven.
Love, Gail and Wayne McMorran

Billy was our first grandchild and what joy and happiness he brought into our lives! As a little fellow he would say to me, "G.G. I made you a Grandma" and.he would add, "and
Doctor Ferris made me a baby."
We loved having Billy in our home for visits and also his three beautiful children.
Life will not be the same without him, we are so proud of him.
Looking forward to the time when we will see him again, in heaven.
Love, Gail and Wayne McMorran

Your family is in my thoughts and prayers and I can´t express how sad I was when I heard of Bill´s passing. Growing up, Bill was my best friend. Bill, James (Jimmy back then), and I were thick as thieves; inseparable. Even though we drifted apart over time, I hold on to some amazing memories of him when we were young.

Thinking of all the times we rode our bikes, roller-bladed, rough-housed in the front yard, went hiking with his Dad Jim, went to the movies, climbed the acorn tree (as we called it), all of the boisterous behavior that sometimes occurred (sorry Mom and Denise, but we were just being boys), and all the memories of the time we spent together, laughing and enjoying life, I will never forget.

With regard to the BB-sized hole in the window mentioned below: I continue to assert our innocence and maintain that it wasn´t us.

Thinking of your family in these difficult times and sending you love,

Scott

God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Denise great big hugs to you...so , so, sorry...

I served on USS Topeka with Bill. As you can imagine, submarines crews are fairly close knit, and the Topeka was a crew like no other. I enjoyed talking with him about books and movies, but mostly I enjoyed that he was always open and friendly to everyone. He was willing to help with anything, and if you wanted a laugh, it was a short trip to the Torpedo room and Bill. I will miss my Submarine Brother, and will gladly share my memories of him with others so that his kindness and humor will continue on.
Fair Winds and Following Seas Bill. We, your brothers, have the watch.

My condolences to the McMorran family, my thoughts and prayers are with you as you celebrate the life of William.

We have so very many memories of Bill, Jimmy and Scott while we were neighbors on Aldbury Street, and then neighbors once again in Wyoming for a year. One in Particular was the three of them riding the Honda 90's around, and instead of staying on the road, they would go through the neighbor's property. All the while saying they had been staying on the road.
Another of a broken garage window which still exists today. Never could get the guilty party to admit to which one did it.
Bill we haven't seen you since 1997.......but you left us with lots of memories.
Reading your obituary, what a legacy you left your kids. They have so much to be proud of with you...being their dad!

Thank you for wearing the uniform and serving our country for 14 years. We are forever grateful.

May you rest in peace,

Paul and Brenda

Billy was one-of-a-kind. He was wise and had so many interests. So much of what I know, I learned from him like music and movies and just a general state of being. I've always been so grateful to have him as a brother. I know he's resting peacefully but he is incredibly missed. <3