William Morris Daniel

William "Morris" Daniel bravely battled cancer for 10 years and the truce was signed on February 19, 2012. Morris didn't lose the battle but rather won his reward. "I don't mind dying; I know where I'm going," he told his wife Phyllis. Morris was in hospice care just one day shy of seven months when he passed on.

William Morris Daniel married Phyllis Childers December 15, 1962 and had 49 wonderful years together. They have three children, Greg (Judy) Daniel, Denise (Keith) Groshong and Cheri (Craig) Horton; and nine grandchildren, Alec and Kylie Daniel, Kayla, Wyatt, Colton and Chase Groshong; and Zachary, Bailey and Andrew Horton. Morris was preeceded in death by his father, Willie Perry Daniel, Mother, Mary Annie (Edwards) Daniel and brother Paul Clay Daniel.

Phyllis says that although the last few years were a sad time it was also a special time spent in conversation about many things, including funeral plans. Morris was an avid fan and collector of gospel music recordings and was determined to select the music to be played at his funeral service. Phyllis suggested he chose three songs. Morris didn't think he could pick just three. "Can I have four?" he asked Phyllis. So four it was. They are:

"Do You Know How it Feels," by Bob Thomas; "In the Courthouse of my Father," by the New Horizons; "Not That You Died" by the Legacy Five, and "Jesus' Blood Can Make the Vilest Sinner Clean," by Bill Gather Vocal Band

A devoted student of The Bible, Morris also considered writing his own eulogy but finally decided to leave that to his pastor.

Morris' illness did not define the last years of his life. Rather he lived it to the fullest. After retiring in 1998 he bought a computer and started looking up old Air Force buddies. He'd call them on the phone and talk for hours and laugh and reminisce about their days in the military. Morris soon gathered together a large group and organized yearly reunions across the country. Morris and Phyllis attended every one of them, except for the most recent, held in July 2011.

The new computer also helped Morris develop his genealogy hobby. He traced his family back several generations and was always finding unknown distant cousins who also shared his love of family history. His other interests included fishing and traveling with Phyllis. He was a member of Trinity Freewill Baptist Church in Bridgeton where participated in and often provided devotions for a group called the OWLS -- Older, Wiser Loving Servants. The group meets monthly for singing, worship and fellowship. Morris also loved to watch the University of Kentucky Wildcats play basketball. But his number one, most loved and cherished activity was to spend time with his family, "He would always say, 'This has been a good day. The kids and grandkids were here,'" Phyllis said.

Family and friends will gather for a visitation on Tuesday, February 21, 2012 at Alexander-White-Mullen Funeral Home. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday February 22 at Trinity Freewill Baptist Church. Morris Served in the U.S. Air Force from 1954 to 1957 and will therefore be laid to rest in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with full Military Honors.