William "Bill" Morgan Stanley Jr.

William "Bill" Morgan Stanley Jr., age 90, of Tallahassee, Florida passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 7, 2024. He exemplified “faith, family, and country,” loved spending time with his grandchildren, and appreciated hearing or telling a good joke. He always had a smile on his face.

Bill was born in Callaway, FL, and was the second-youngest of seven children. These members of the Greatest Generation kept close ties over the years and often held court during the holidays with their families in Panama City or Howard Creek, FL. A lot of laughter, a lot of food, and a lot of stories. Those were the days.

Bill served in the Army during the Korean War era and graduated from Florida State University in 1960. He was a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity at FSU and always cheered on the Seminoles. After college, Bill met the love of his life, Ora, in DeFuniak Springs, FL. They were married in 1961 and moved to Tallahassee, where he had a long, distinguished career with the Florida Department of Revenue.

Bill loved God. He served in too many positions to count over decades at Seminole Baptist Church and Immanuel Baptist Church, and he made many life-long friends while serving. During his retirement, he also volunteered for the Bill Glass Prison Ministry and at the information desk at Tallahassee Memorial Hospital.

When he was not spending his free time with family or at church, Bill could have been found on the Tallahassee softball fields. He played baseball a lot as a young man in Panama City and played or coached men’s softball as an adult. He coached the Meeks Electric team to a 1989 state championship and in national tournaments at a high level. He leaves behind many memories and friends from the diamond.

“Mr. Bill” is survived by his beloved wife of 63 years “Mrs. Ora”; his children Karen Forrester (Kent) of Bainbridge, GA and James (Julie) of Marietta, GA; his grandchildren Carlie (Conor) Little of Savannah, GA, Bobby (Bess) Forrester of Watkinsville, GA, Taylor Stanley of Tallahassee, Morgan Stanley of Troy, AL, and Anna Stanley of Peachtree Corners, GA; and his great-grandchildren Kensleigh Stanley, John Lucas Stanley, Willow Forrester, Shepherd Forrester, and Evie Little.

He was preceded in death by his son William “Clay” Stanley; his parents William and Eliza Stanley; and his six siblings.

A visitation for Bill will be held Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Immanuel Baptist Church, 2351 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, Florida 32308, followed by a memorial service from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Interment at Tallahassee National Cemetery will occur on a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bill’s honor to Big Bend Hospice or to Immanuel Baptist Church.