Our dad, John William aka “Stub” Morris, age 93 died peacefully at his home surrounded by his family in Philpot, Kentucky on Friday September 13th 2024. Dad was born on June 15th 1931 to Joseph and Emma (Johnson) Morris. He married his schoolyard sweetheart, our mom, Mary aka “Hootie” (Howard) on November 8th 1952. Dad made his living as a farmer for the first couple of years they were married, but in 1954 Green River Steel Mill was hiring. Dad and Mom prayed a 28-day Novena in petition for dad to be hired. Their prayers were answered and he was hired and was employed for 35 years as a brick layer. After that he worked at Benny Clark and Jerry Morris Construction then finished his working years part time with his 2nd son Fred at Freddie Morris Plumbing.
Dad had many accomplishments and hobbies. He loved pitching washers, croquet, shuffleboard, basketball, softball, checkers, fox and geese, golf (had a hole in one) family camping, driving his tractor, watching any sport on TV, especially Kentucky Wildcat Basketball. Dad loved using the sewing machine to make quilt tops. He and mom made each of us kids a quilt. He loved asking anyone and everyone to buy a raffle ticket to support St. Mary’s of the Woods picnics. He was very involved in his Church as he was manager of the burgoo barn for 35 years. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus for many years and also a Eucharistic minister for over 40 plus years.
Along with his Catholic Faith, dad was the proudest of his 71-year marriage to our mom, his 10 kids, 10 in laws, 32 Grandkids, 61 Great Grandkids, 5 Great Great Grandkids.
Dad is preceded in death by 8 of his brothers and 6 of his sisters, 2 grandsons William Shane Booker, Corbin Mills and 2 Great Grandsons William Jett and William Booker. He is survived by his wife Mary “Hootie” Morris. His children, Connie (Frank) Hagan, Eddie (Pam) Morris, Marilyn (David) Fulkerson, Janetta (Steve) Booker, Freddie (Mony) Morris, Barry (Yvonne) Morris, Dana (Darrell) Roby, David (Monica) Morris, Kristi (Jeff) Kellogg, Jill (Nathan) Mills. And one sister Emma (Elwood) Whistle.
The funeral Mass will be 10am Thursday September 19th 2024 at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, with burial following at St. Mary of the Woods Cemetery. Visitation will be 2-7pm on Wednesday September 18th 2024 with prayers at 6:30 pm at Cecil Funeral Home in Whitesville, Kentucky.
In Lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Hospice of Western Kentucky or the Together We Can Building Campaign of St. Mary’s