William "Bill" Ralph Morris

William ‘Bill’ Ralph Morris passed away on July 13, 2024, at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Eugene Oregon. 

William was born on July 25th, 1952, on a sweltering summer day in St. Louis Missouri. Born to Benjamin and Julie Ann Morris, he was the middle child with siblings Michael and Julie Sue. Bill had a happy “Wonder Years” childhood in a suburban neighborhood typical in the 1950s and formed many lifelong friendships. 

He attended St. Louis Country Day School and Webster Groves High School and briefly the University of Missouri. Bill loved playing sports and excelled in baseball, tennis, football and hockey. At age 12, Bill pitched in the youth St. Louis All Star Game in the original Busch Stadium. Also, as a musician and a drummer, Bill played in several bands at clubs and dances. As a young man, Bill loved the outdoors and backpacked most of the Western National Parks.  

Bill married his high school sweetheart, Susan Wandersee in 1974 and moved to Ashland Oregon where he worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. He later moved to Eugene Oregon where he resided for the remainder of his life. Bill and Sue had two beautiful children, Andrew ‘Andy’ William Morris and Elizabeth ‘Lizzy’ Julia Morris prior to their divorce many years later. 

Bill was employed by Liberty Bank (Home Federal Bank) for 32 years. First as a loan officer and rising to the position of Senior Vice President. Bill finally retired in 2014 and had felt fortunate to have worked for such a fine company throughout his career. After moving to Eugene, Bill enjoyed tennis, golf and softball and umpired for ASA for many years. After retiring from banking, Bill focused on remodeling distressed houses under his company, Sasquatch Properties, LLC. 

In 2003, Bill married who he called ‘the love of his life’ Cynthia ‘Cindy’ Morris. Bill and Cindy were members of Eugene Country Club, and he donated to the Lane County Audubon Society, Raptor Center and McKenzie River Trust. 

Bill succumbed to a sudden illness and passed away peacefully. Before his passing, he expressed that he was thankful that the last few years were the best of his life. 

Bill is also survived by two grandchildren, Luminos Morris and Alohi Morris. 

There will be no public service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lane County Audubon Society.