Billie D. Morris, 92, passed away peacefully at home Wednesday, November 14, 2018. She was born September 28, 1926 in Hunt, Texas to parents Darcy E. and Effie M. (Ballou) Vandever. She was the eldest of their three daughters.
As a child of the Great Depression era, Billie worked to financially assist her family as soon as she was able. While living with her family on North Beach, she worked at the soda fountain of Sun Pharmacy in downtown Corpus Christi. It was there she met a handsome U.S.M.C. Private who would become the love of her life. William Rylie Morris, Jr. visited Sun Pharmacy many times to order cherry milkshakes and gaze at Billie. October 29, 1943 would begin their marital journey of 60 years. They raised four children and were truly life long partners.
Billie was the devoted, consummate military wife, raising her children alone while enduring up to 16 months at a time being away from her beloved “Buddy” while he served his country in the Pacific Theater of WWII on Iwo Jima, Okinawa; the Korean War and Inchon and subsequent stateside stations. A large suitcase full of their daily letters to each other provides only a small glimpse into the love and devotion they had for one another. She missed him terribly when he passed away January 22, 2004.
Billie enjoyed sewing and was an incredibly gifted seamstress who could make anything from high fashion to curtains. She loved cooking (best fried shrimp/fish), baking, crocheting, gardening, raising her children, enjoying her grandchildren and spoiling her dogs. She was a devoted and utterly selfless wife, mother, grandmother, me-maw, great grandmother and great-great grandmother. Despite multiple health issues throughout the years, she never complained. She was indomitable, yet kind and always supportive; spunky, feisty, quick-witted, and the bright, shining light in our lives always guiding us home. She is and will be missed beyond measure.
In addition to her parents and husband of 60 years, Billie was predeceased by her two sisters, Betty Newsome and Neta Kirby; her daughter Carolyn J. Morris, and two grandsons, Thomas D. Morris and James K. Allison.
She is survived by her daughter Joan Marie (Charles) Brennan; son, William David (Joanna) Morris; and daughter, Diane Morris Hernandez (Fred). Grandchildren: Chris and Jeff Brennan (Joan); Scott O’Neal, John and Bryan Allison (Carolyn); Jennifer, Jessica, David, Kelsey, Chayton and Elias Morris (David); and Willa Rylie Stovall ( Diane). She is also survived by her great grandchildren, great-great grandchildren and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation and remembrance of a life well-lived will be held between 6-8:00 pm, Tuesday, November 20 at Cage-Mills Funeral Home, 4901 Everhart Road, Corpus Christi, Texas.
A graveside service and interment next to her parents, sisters, daughter and her “Buddy” will take place at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bayside, Texas, at 11:00 am, Wednesday, November 21.
