Morris Wallis

SGM Morris Douglas Wallis (ret.), age 98, died Friday, July 29, 2011. The second-generation Austinite was the youngest of seven children born to Annie Lutz Wallis and Jesse Calvin Wallis. He was born Sept. 7, 1912 in the family home at 1600 Canterbury St. He wrote a brief biography for the family, listing every street address where he lived: Webberville, 1915 E. 5th St., Canterbury, East 7th Street, East 3rd Street, and Cotton Street. The family moved to Jayton in far north Texas but returned to south Austin in 1923, the year his father died. He and his mother moved to 1204 Red River where he went to work for his uncle.

Morris joined the CCC in 1933, and then found work in Austin. He enlisted in the National Guard at Camp Mabry in 1940 and was discharged in 1941 when his unit was demobilized. In 1942, he re-enlisted in the Army assigned to the 6th Army Corp’s 36th Division (Texas “T” Patch), 63rd Quartermaster Company. He participated in one of the first Allied campaigns of WWII in North Africa. He also participated in three other invasions—Salerno and Anzio, Italy, and southern France.

Morris was in combat 28 months in five countries—north Africa, Italy, France, Germany, and Austria. During that time, Morris received five Bronze Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead and numerous other service awards. He was discharged in August, 1945 and came home to Austin. He went to work for the City of Austin Water Utility in 1946.

Morris married Dorthy Mae Porter in 1947 and moved to 1204 East Ave. In 1950 they moved to 405 N. Loop where they reared five children.

Morris re-enlisted in the Texas National Guard in 1950 and served an additional 23 years during which he achieved the rank of Sergeant Major (E-9) with “Top Secret” security clearance. He retired from the City of Austin and the National Guard in 1972. Morris and Dorthy later moved to Bastrop in 1985.

Morris was preceded in death by Dorthy Dec. 4, 1993 and by their son Morris Douglas Wallis, Jr., Nov. 28, 2010. He is survived by one son, Jesse (Pam) of Austin; and daughters Jenny (Dave) Turner of Austin; Ruth (Billy) Ladd of China Spring, and Barbie (Kevin) Churchwell of Bertram. He also is survived by four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews and many long-time and cherished friends.

Visitation is 6-8 p.m. Wednesday and funeral service is 10 a.m. Thursday at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home.

To share memories of Morris with his family, please sign the online guest book at www.cookwaldencapitalparks.com.