William was born in Uniontown, Alabama, the son of the late Louise Fowlkes and Nathaniel Welch Morrisette.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Nancy Peebles Morrisette and his siblings, Louise M. Moody, , Marie M. McKinley, Frances M. Lawson and N. Welch Morrisette.
Surviving William are his wife, Anne Compton Morrisette; daughters, Marie M. Sartin (Ed) and Darrow M. Stockdale (Bill); and sons, Bill Morrisette Jr. (Allison), and David Morrisette (Melissa). Also surviving are his grandchildren, Emory McGinness Keenan, Mier McGinness Esch, Taylor Morrisette Stockdale, Morgan Allison Morrisette, John Alderman Morrisette, Jessica Daniel Riley Morrisette, Ryan William Morrisette, Dainis John David Morrisette, Oskars Fleet Morrisette, Arthurs Armistead Morrisette, Gunars Gaines Keener Morrisette, Mareks Hudson Morrisette; and great grandchild Cason Esch. His step-children are Thomas A. Compton (Connie), Penn S. Compton (Martha), William C. Compton, and Key T. Compton (Sue).
He served as an Air Force pilot during WWII, flying a B24 Liberator over the Panama Canal. After the war he graduated from the University of Alabama where he earned a degree in Business Administration and was a member of the SAE fraternity. Following his graduation he worked seventeen years for Gulf States Paper Company of Tuscaloosa, AL. He was a bold visionary, creating Morrisette Paper Company in 1962. This very successful family business was founded on his simple yet powerful philosophy – “We do what we say we will do”. That spirit continues to this day with 2nd and 3rd generation family members in the business. His pioneer spirit, along with his deep love of the land, subsequently led to the creation of Chateau Morrisette Winery in 1975 in Virginia, followed by the Morrisette Catfish Farm in 1995 in Alabama.
He was a member of the Greensboro Country Club, Capital Investment Club, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, a strong supporter with passion for the Greensboro Grasshoppers, former member of the Greensboro Kiwanis Club, and a weekly participant of John Willett’s Bible Study. William will be forever remembered as a true southern gentleman, reflective of his Alabama heritage.
A celebration of his life will be at 10:00 AM, Saturday, March 8, 2014 in Holy Trinity Episcopal Church. The family will receive friends Friday, March 7, from 5-7 pm at 1913 Rosecrest Dr.
The family expresses sincere gratitude to the caregivers from Home Instead.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The National Wildlife Foundation, 1133 Fifteenth St., N.W., Suite 100, Washington, D.C. 20005;The Salvation Army of Greensboro, 821 Aycock St, Greensboro, NC 27403; or Hospice and Palliative Care of Greensboro, 2500 Summit Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405.
On line condolences may be made at www.haneslineberryfuneralhomes.com
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