Born the 20th of February 1943, in Houston, TX, Bill was the second of four children born to Doris and Carloss Morris. Raised in the piney woods of River Oaks on an acreage homestead backing up to Buffalo Bayou, Bill grew up a cowboy. His father and mother passed down to him a love of Jesus Christ and all things outdoors, especially horsemanship and hunting.
After graduating from Lamar High School in 1961, Bill attended Baylor University where he roomed with lifelong friend, Evangelist Billie Hanks Jr. Through Billie’s training and encouragement, Bill’s faith grew tenfold and he made a commitment to boldly share his faith with all he encountered. University was also where Bill first sparked an interest in art, when he met Pablo Picasso painting on a beach in Cannes during a summer abroad in Europe.
A law degree was a “must” in the Morris household, and Bill followed suit, attending the University of Houston Law School, where he met his future wife, Sharon Kay Floyd, of Temple, Texas attending undergraduate in the Fine Art program.
Realizing that an office job would never suit his personality, Bill ventured into real estate investing after the family sold Houston Title Company, a small firm that he had been helping operate while in law school. He started William Morris Interests in 1970, after passing the Texas State Bar exam, barely with a 70, often joking that he was the smartest guy to take the bar because he knew just what parts to study for. He had a 6th sense for sniffing out deals and finding the best corners before others could snatch them up; mostly syndicating land investments among investor friends of the family. His recounts of the Highland Village deal was the stuff of legends . . .
Walking into his office was like stepping into a museum – Bill was passionate about fine art. After selling some prized real estate holdings, William decided to delve deeper into investment grade paintings, commenting “well, I don’t have to mow the grass and I don’t have to pay the real estate taxes!” He loved the story behind the artwork and without any formal training, he could pick out the shining stars from the merely “good” pieces offered at auction.
Bill had a deep love of family. After marrying in 1970, Sharon and Bill had their first child, Will IV, in 1973, followed three years later (to the day) by Rachel.
After experiencing frustrating delays by the train for his afternoon tennis match on Wednesday afternoons, Bill moved his office from Post Oak Place to Willowick so that he could just walk right over to River Oaks Baptist School for all Rachel and Will’s school events. He made a commitment to attend or coach every possible team sport available to the kids throughout their school life. It was also a priority for Bill to take family vacations. Lake McQueeney, Colorado, Destin, and Grand Cayman were favorite vacation spots. Bill loved to water ski, snow ski, hunt, fish, ride horses, and play tennis; all of which he passionately taught and shared with his children.
Bill was generous in spirit and wanted to be used by God to bless others and share the Gospel. Throughout his life he supported over thirty ministries and missionaries through groups such as: Billy Graham Evangelistic Assn., Campus Crusade for Christ, College of Biblical Studies (board member), David Stockwell Evangelistic Assn., Faith Comes By Hearing, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Goodwill Industries (board member), Houston Baptist University, Houston's First Baptist Church (deacon), Inspire Women, Israel Tennis Centers Assn., International Evangelism Assn. (board member), Kanakuk Ministries, Living Water International, Open Door Mission (board member), Southwestern Seminary, Spireno (Spiritual Revival Now), Star of Hope Mission (board member), The Seed Company, Young Life (host home), and Youth For Christ (board member).
Bill was dedicated to reading and telling others about God’s Word (the Bible). He had no fear of man, and would often call or write to pastors to “help” correct a quote or idea that must have accidentally been mis-quoted from Scripture. Bill was passionate about the name of Jesus. A couple of his favorite verses were: Philippians 2:9-11 “. . . God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” And Colossians 3:17 “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” He was often heard saying, “Rejoice Evermore, and pray without ceasing!” to anyone he greeted.
William was preceded in death by his father, Carloss Morris, his mother, Doris Poole Morris; and his nephew, John Robert Ginter, II. William is survived by his wife of 48 years, Sharon Floyd Morris, one son and daughter-in-law, Will IV and Debby Morris of Salado, Texas, one daughter and son-in-law, Rachel and John Rosson of Houston, five grandchildren: Will V, Christian, and Camille Morris, Genevieve and Michelle Rosson; Sister Marietta Maxfield, Brother Malcolm and sister-in-law Becky, Sister Melinda and brother-in-law Glen Ginter, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews whom he prayed for by name almost daily.
The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to Michelle Moore for her 30 years of dedicated service to Bill, running the office and graciously handling all the details for our beloved eccentric investor.
Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock this afternoon until seven o'clock this evening Sunday, the 12th of August, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.
Memorial Service will be conducted at twelve o'clock noon on Monday, the 13th of August, in the sanctuary of Houston's First Baptist Church, 7401 Katy Freeway in Houston.
Prior to the service, the family will have gathered for a private entombment in the Texas Liberty Mausoleum at Memorial Oaks Cemetery.
In lieu of customary remembrances, please send memorial contributions to any of the above named organizations of your choice.
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