Joseph L. "Pete" Morrison, Sr.

Joseph L.“Pete” Morrison, Sr., 84, of Springfield, passed away on Tuesday December 5, 2017 at Life's Journey Senior Living in Taylorville. He was born on August 9, 1933 in Tallula, IL., to Oscar Owen and Nellie Bracken Morrison. Pete is survived by his wife Peggy, whom he married on November 23, 1968.

Mr. Morrison is also survived by his children: Beverly Morrison of Litchfield, Patti (Donald) Farmer, Maureen Walsh and Lana (Jamie) Basden all of Springfield, Tina (Sam) Cruz of Lubbock, Texas and Kevin Walsh of Springfield, twenty six grandchildren, several great grandchildren, one brother Ed Morrison and two sisters Jane Juris and Norma Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a son Joseph L. Morrison, Jr., 4 brothers, Frank, Junior, Bob, and Charlie Morrison, and 2 sisters, Bertha and Kate.

Pete started farming at the age of seventeen in Salisbury, Illinois before taking a job running a grader at the Illinois State Fair Race Track. Pete’s first track job working the grader blade started his thirty two year career as the Illinois State Fair Track Superintendent making the Springfield Mile the “fastest dirt track in the world.” Over the years Pete was called on to build and maintain several dirt tracks throughout the United States.

A funeral service will be held at 1:00pm on Friday December 8, 2017 at Bisch and Son Funeral Home, 505 East Allen Street, with burial to follow at Salisbury Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 11:00am until the time of service Friday at Bisch and Son. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association and please visit the online “Life Remembered Story” at www.bischandsonfuneralhome.com.