William R. Morton

William R. Morton, V.M.D.

William R. Morton, V.M.D. passed away September 4, 2013 due to complications from a fall. Born in Lewiston, Maine on September 16, 1939, he grew up in South Paris, Maine, graduated from the University of Vermont and the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School. Prior to veterinary school, Bill spent two years at the Jackson Laboratory, in Bar Harbor, Maine working with Nobel laureate Dr. George D. Snell. Upon obtaining his VMD, Bill initially joined a veterinary practice, later accepting a position at the University of Washington which led to a 30 year career in primate research, holding the position of Director of the Washington National Primate Research Center from 1995 to 2005. Over the course of his career he established a national and international reputation in primate research collaborating heavily with centers in Indonesia and Russia in addition to conducting HIV vaccine research. He retired in 2005 to start his own primate consulting company, ParisNHP. Bill was a passionate Huskies football fan, an expert trout fisherman, and an avid collector and reader of antiquarian books. He is survived by his wife, Jackie, his sons Whitman and Randy and his daughter, Cassie.

A Celebration of Bill's life will be held September 19th, at the Edmonds United Methodist Church at 3:00 PM. Guestbook at www.becksfuneralhome.com. Remembrances may be made in the form of contributions to the Dept. of Neurology, University of Washington Medical Center, 1100 NE 45th St., Suite 405, Seattle, WA 98105.