William Arthur Morgan

William A. Morgan, 83, unexpectedly died at home on Friday, June 24. He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Patricia; his daughter Kathryn of New York City and her partner Jon Daniels; his cousin Margaret Hanigan of Houston Texas, and numerous nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his sister Barbara Festger and his cousin Patricia Esguerra.

Bill joined the U.S. Marine Corps as a Private First Class right out of high school in 1955, and served for 20 years, retiring in 1975 as a Major. Trained at the Defense Language Institute, he was fluent and literate in Mandarin Chinese and could chat in Chinese Telegraphic Code. Bill’s foreign posts included two tours in Vietnam, where he was awarded a Bronze Star with Combat V, as well as the Philippines, Okinawa and Taipei. He was particularly happy in Taipei where in addition to official liaison duties, he managed side gigs as a Santa at Christmas parties for Chinese orphans, and a cameo role as a card shark in a Taiwanese gangster movie.

Upon retiring from the Marine Corps, Bill entered the world of academe, obtaining a BA and an MPhil from The George Washington University. Upon graduation in 1980, he and a fellow GW alum, Edward Angel, founded a public policy/historical research/expert witness firm as an alternative to life as an academic gypsy. Morgan, Angel & Associates proved to have staying power, and when Bill took his second retirement in 2000, he left behind a firm that flourishes to this day.

Finding himself with time on his hands, Bill soon substituted volunteer work for paying jobs. He joined the boards of St. John’s Community Services, an organization devoted to maximizing the lives of persons with differing abilities, and won its Pillow Lee award in 2017. He also served as a founding member of the board of Washington Yu Ying School, a Mandarin/English bilingual charter school since expanded to include high school level classes. He was accepted into membership by the Cosmos Club, and served as chairman of its House Committee from 2005 to 2008.

Finally achieving his third retirement in 2015, he resigned himself to a leisurely life of travel – Venice being his favorite destination – and supervising his wife and his cats. He was a man of humor and depth, and will be remembered and missed by all who knew him.

Graveside service and interment at Arlington National Cemetery on Thursday October 6, 2022 at 11:00 AM. Those wishing to honor Bill and the causes he held dear may donate in his name to St. John’s, to Yu Ying, or to the charity of their choice.