William Morris

Obituary William Morris was the second of eight children born to the late George Edward “Taft” Morris and Melinda Morris, on July 19, 1932. He was married for 44 years to the late Bertha Turner Morris. Through this union they would have 3 children; Gerald T. Morris, Gary A. Morris and Gail L. Morris. William re-married later in life to his surviving wife of 12 years, Velmar Polk Morris. William completed his early childhood education at the Paul Lawrence Dunbar in the Laurel School District. He went on to receive his high school diploma from Delaware State College High School on June 2, 1950. William continued his studies at Delaware State College where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree on May 27, 1957. His undergraduate studies were interrupted when he was drafted for a tour of duty during the Korean War. William’s passion for public service began to develop. His career in social service would span over a 40 year period of time. He was the Director of the Kingswood Community Center in Wilmington, DE. He also served as the Director of the Christina Community Center in Wilmington, DE. He also worked as an advocate and Social Worker for the Ferris Training School for Young Men in Newport, DE. William would later find an opportunity with his acquired vision, to pursue his graduate studies at Virginia Commonwealth University where he would go on to receive his Masters Degree in Social Work in June of 1969. William returned to Delaware, and quickly became employed as the Executive Director for the University of Delaware’s Pre-College TRIO Program, also known as “Upward Bound.” William diligently served the university in this capacity for 20 years until he retired. In 2004, William was the honorary recipient of the Delaware State Trio Organization’s (DSTO), Walter O. Mason Award for his vision and dedication to Delaware’s TRIO program. A program that provided educational services for Delaware’s at risk student population. William had been an active member and affiliate of many churches through the years: Mt. Nebo U.M. Church in Laurel, DE; Zion U.M. Church in Sharptown, MD; Wesley A.M.E. Church in Sharptown, MD, Metropolitan United A.M.E. Church in Harrington, DE; Zion United Methodist Church in Wilmington, DE and St. John’s U.M. Church in Newark, DE. William was a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In addition, he was a member of the Thomas Elzey Polk, Sr. Chapter of the Buffalo Soldiers. William was an avid craftsman with carpentry, but his greatest joy was gardening. William enjoyed attending the Annual Oyster Dinners at the Felton Volunteer Fire Hall. He also enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the Sharptown Volunteer Fireman’s Carnival where he would find his oyster fritter sandwiches. William enjoyed life and all persons, family and friends who shared this life with him. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, Bertha T. Morris, and a brother, Freddie “Taft” Morris. He leaves to cherish his memories his children, Gerald T. Morris and Gary A. Morris (Yvette Young) both of Seaford, DE, and Gail L. Morris of Smyrna, DE; 3 grandsons, Daevon and Vaeshon Deshields of Smyrna, DE and Patrick Michael Brown; a granddaughter, Bianca A. Morris of Michigan, a great-grandson, Lorenzo Michael Brown; six sisters, Doris Wilson, Hattie Cruger (Lorenzo), and Helen Blakey all of Philadelphia, PA, Catherine Marie Wynn (Charles) of Los Angeles, CA, Barbara Ann Morris of Hampton, VA and Shirley Morris of Washington, DC; daughter-in-law Catherine Barboza, a wife of 12 years, Velmar Polk Morris of Delmar, DE and a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Lovingly Submitted ~ The Family To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William Morris , please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

William Morris

July 19, 1932 - May 28, 2015