William Edward "Bill" Morlan

William (Bill) Edward Morlan, 64, of Gassaway passed tenderly into the arms of the Lord Saturday, October 18, 2025.

He was born January 24, 1961, in Terre Haute, Indiana to Sharon Joye Morlan of Owosso, Michigan, and the late Orville (Jack) Edward Morlan.

Bill is survived by his beloved and devoted wife of 39 years, Bronlynn; and their five sons, Bryson Morlan and his wife, Leandra, of Vienna, Jarren Morlan and wife,Courtney, of Mount Lookout, Tyler Morlan and wife, Nicole, of Gassaway, Kenton Morlan and wife, Ashley, of Sutton, Logan Morlan and wife, Contessa, of Little Birch,and his handpicked daughter from the heart, Staci Gerwig and husband, Brian, of Frametown.

Bill was affectionately known as Pops by his 15 grandchildren; Bentley, Reed, Eliora,Owen, Cora, Rhett, Beckett, Kylie, Micah, Clinton, Aliyah, Jaxon, Juniper, Callan and Hazel; along with five nieces, six nephews, and eight great-nieces and nephews.He is also survived by two sisters, Sherry Okenka and husband, Tim, of Washington,Michigan, and Jacque Morlan of Albion, Michigan; his brother, John Morlan and wife,Carol, of Rochester Hills, Michigan; his special mother-in-law, Helen Mellquist; and sister-in-law, Koreen Villers and husband, Jon, all of Shady Spring; and sister-in-law,Danyl Freeman and husband, Rick, of Moorefield.

Bill grew up in Owosso, Michigan, where he discovered his passion for baseball as amember of the Owasso High School Baseball Team. His skill at the game earned him a scholarship to play baseball for Mount Vernon Nazarene University in Ohio. He later transferred to Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, W.Va.-the state he would call home the remainder of his life. At AB, he walked on to play baseball, met his future wife,Bronlynn, and accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Upon graduation from AB in 1986 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and special education, Bill began his career as a special education teacher at Beaver Elementary in Nicholas County, where he served for seven years, followed by six years as the sixth-grade teacher at Birch River Elementary, working alongside Bronlynn.

In 1987 Bill sensed the calling of the Lord to expand his teaching field to the church,where he first served as youth pastor at Little Union Baptist Church in Craigsville. In1990 Bill accepted the position of pastor at Hacker Valley Baptist Church, and one year later, Pastor Mark Stump invited him to join the ministry of Gassaway Baptist Church where he served as part-time youth pastor.

Bill left teaching in 1999 to become a full-time youth pastor at GBC where he andBronlynn, as minister of music, served for the last 26 years. Most recently, Bill served as youth and outreach pastor, his ministry encompassing a vast array of events-all carried out for one purpose: winning the lost to Jesus Christ.

Among those aspects of Bill's ministry that gave him special joy was his Monday night young men's bible study. Knowing that his group, many of them athletes, would be hungry after evening practices, Bill prepared and served a full-course meal for them prior to training them in discipleship: Bill's greatest passion. He made sure that he,along with his close friend and discipleship partner, Mickey Skeens, attended at least one sporting event for every youth in his ministry.

Pastor Bill also initiated the Guardian Angel program at GBC, enlisting adults to team up with youth of the church, to keep in touch with their student and to offer godly encouragement as they progressed through school. Bill hosted a special dinner for graduates and their families where Guardian Angels' identities were revealed and graduates were presented with photo albums filled memories of their spiritual journey at GBC.

He led the Youth Ministry Team as well, pairing each youth with an adult for mentoring on discipleship-teaching them to study, journal and pray.

Bill wanted every youth to know God's love as he afforded them opportunities to engage in special events, such as the annual Prom Night at GBC when he worked with Bronlynn to make it an unforgettable evening of fellowship and fun for those who attended. Among the highlights of Prom Night were the formal dinner in a beautifully decorated setting and the photo sessions with every couple, for whom Bill created personalized photo albums.

True to his own passion for discipleship, Pastor Bill and Mickey journeyed to India several times, as well as to Haiti, to serve as missionaries of the gospel. Over the years Bill taught his youth to disciple during their mission work in the local communities,across the nation and outside the country. Regardless of where he was serving, Bill never failed to teach his youth to share the gospel of Jesus Christ as they helped others in restoring roofs or adding access ramps on local homes; preparing the foundation for a church in Crow Agency, Montana; building one-room homes in Tecate, Mexico; or constructing the first playground for children at the Baptist Haiti Mission in Haiti.

Vacation bible school was always part of Bill's mission trip agenda. His youth often equipped themselves with wands, blowing bubbles down the roads or paths to lead children to bible school. Above all, he sought to win souls for the Lord as he and his youth gave of themselves to better the lives of those they served.

Most recently, Pastor Bill made the summer Passion Camp in Daytona Beach,Florida, a mission field for his youth. He rejoiced in the fellowship and openness they experienced as they shared Jesus with others. He loved seeing his youth come together as one body proclaiming their faith to win souls for Christ.

Even the baseball field became a ministry field for Pastor Bill who became CoachMorlan in 2005 when he began leading the Braxton County High School Baseball Team,coaching and ministering to the same boys he had coached in Little League. Bronlynn served as assistant coach alongside Bill, and together they built a team of young men with exemplary baseball skills and a love for the Lord.

Although the team was winless in their first season, they became a formidable force both on and off the field, winning the school's first ever sports team state championship in 2010 when they captured the West Virginia AA Baseball Championship title.

Bill was an avid sportsman off the field too as he enjoyed hunting wild game with his sons and close friends each fall and trout fishing in the spring.

He dearly loved spending time with his large and loving family. He especially enjoyed being outdoors. His cabins became a favorite getaway for him to savor God's creation with his grandchildren as they gathered around a campfire to roast marshmallows,make S'mores and share Jesus. There, "Pops" also taught them to ride 4-wheelers and shoot guns safely.

Bill's heart for all children drew them to him immediately. His fun-loving spirit led tohis being surrounded by children at church, at school events or wherever he went.Countless children referred to him as Uncle Bill. He loved them like family.

First and foremost, Bill loved the Lord and devoted his life in service to Him. His ministry touched the lives of countless youth who were blessed to learn from his teaching at Gassaway Baptist Church and in the local, national and international mission fields. Bill's life was guided by his favorite scripture, found in James 4:17:"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth it not, to him it is sin." He knew good and he did it.

Bill truly exemplified Abraham Lincoln's wisdom that, "in the end, it's not the years in your life that count; it's the life in your years." Bill gave so much of himself to others,responding to infinite calls for help, regardless of the need, the location or the time of day or night. His sacrificial service earned him the deep love and respect of all who were blessed to know him.

While we can no longer treasure his earthly presence in our lives, we can honor Billand his spiritual legacy by living out his passion for the Lord and for other people.A Celebration of Life Service will take place at 1 P.M. Friday, October 24, 2025 at Gassaway Baptist Church, 56 Beall Drive, Gassaway, WV with Pastor Mark Stump officiating.

Family and friends may come together Thursday, October 23 from 5 to 9 P.M. and two hours prior to Bill's service on Friday at the church.Roach Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Morlan family.Words of comfort and fond memories may be extended to the family at www.roachfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers contributions can be made to the GBC vision of a Youth Center, 56 Beall Drive, P.O Box 128, Gassaway, WV 26624.

Interment will be 1 P.M. Saturday, October 25th at Hazelgreen Cemetery, Hazelgreen,Ritchie County,WV.