Billy Eugene Morris
Billy Eugene Morris was born on December 1, 1936 in La Junta, Colorado to Robert and Catherine Morris and he passed away February 20, 2014. He is survived by his wife Barbara A. Morris of Merritt Island, FL and two daughters, Pam (John) Bruckner of Woolsey, SD and Karen Wyman (Duane Alvarado) of Merritt Island, FL and five granddaughters, Angela (Michael) Pickett of Vermillion, SD, Sarah (Nathan) Miller of Aberdeen, SD, Alissa (Jason) Orban of Rapid City, SD, Jessica Pentacoff of Merritt Island, FL and Heather Pentacoff of Rancho Cordova, CA and six great-grandchildren Noah, AJ, Keegan, Payton, Lovelynn, Katie and his two sisters Norma Lee Conover of Rocky Ford, Colorado and Barbara Blackwell of Littleton, Colorado.
Bill graduated High School in Trinidad, Colorado. He obtained an Associate’s Degree from Pueblo, Colorado. He was drafted in the US Army and stationed at Huntsville, Alabama at the Hawk Missile site. He was in Sales for many years and after he married Barbara in September of 1977 they moved to Greeley, Colorado where he decided to go back to his knowledge of beekeeping, which his father taught him at an early age, and purchased Rice’s Honey Farm and together they had a blooming business for 20+ years. When they retired in 1999 they moved to Tucson, Arizona for five years. After Arizona, they started to travel and decided to land in Rapid City, SD where he chose to go back to work in sales for Jack’s Campers.
During their travels, he always loved to be near a beach and that is when they decided to relocate to Florida where they enjoyed walking along the beach together. Bill had 3 B’s in his life that he loved: Barbara, Broncos, and his Bees. Bill always enjoyed gardening, cooking and getting together with family and friends. Bill will truly be missed by his loved ones.
“Don’t grieve for me, for I am free. God wanted me, now He set me free.”
Bill,
Thank you for the mentorship and work you provided me. I worked for Bill in 1997 as a beekeeper. I started not knowing a thing about keeping bees. Bill was always kind to me and taught me so much, not only about bees. I have many fond memories of that time. One memory is Bill would frequently bring me a vine ripe tomato and can of ice cold coke to have when we took lunch break. We discussed his time in the Army, and that was part of the reason I enlisted in 97. I was Bills only employee that season, and the time spent laboring with him was an honor. Thank you Bill for all your guidance and mentoring. I think of you often sir.
I knew Bill for only a few short years as Barb is one of my best friends.
His kindness and concern over everyone was obvious. He was always very welcoming to all of us and will be dearly missed. I now live in Spring Hill FL and hope to see Barb soon. Sincerely Caralynt@aol.com
Barb and family,
Sorry to hear about the loss of Bill. Just read Bill’s obituary today in the Greeley Tribune and it brought back a lot of memories – a life time ago. I’m glad to hear that you’re surrounded by love ones Barb to help you through this.
My condolences to all of Bill’s family. As a friend since grade school, I have (like all who knew Bill) wonderful memories of the person he was.
Bill was a positive and loving human being. Bill was not afraid to express his feelings, thoughts, or his views on anything. The beauty of Bill’s life was that there was always that element of joy and love surrounding him, in all that he said or did. Bill was so aware of God’s love an grace.
May we find some comfort in knowing that Bill is now with our Lord and Savior.
Evelyn Vigil Hoppes
I will always remember you Uncle BB, I wished my kids got the chance to meet you so they would of had those great memories with you like I did when I was a kid.
when I was a kid I called him uncle BB
you will be missed, but never forgot.
Our deepest sympathy, Barbara and Dennis Courtney. Thinking of you, so sorry for your loss. Arlene Brown Schweizer
Our deepest sympathy, Barbara and Dennis Courtney
Barb, Pam and Karen
Our condolences goes out to all of you. Bill will always be remembered as a good teacher and mentor to me. I can imagine Bill walking though big fields of clover with his father who went before him where the HONEY has no twang. Our prays and our thoughts are for all of the family that they may rejoice in the fact that Bill is resting in peace
Barb, Pam and Karen,
Sorry for your loss. The memories we have of Bill is a fun, loving individual. Loved his family and bees. Rest in Peace Bill. Hugs to Barb, Pam and Karen.
Tim and Kathy
I will always remember playing with Billy’s giant German Shepard when I was just a little girl. He always seemed to have a smile for everyone and I liked listening to him, my Uncle Bob and my Grandad talking bees and honey.
Jeanne
Billy and I bumped into each other a couple of times in the years after we left Trinidad.
He was always the same truly nice man I knew at THS
Papa,
I miss you so much already. Not a day will go by where I will not think about you. So many memories with you and the family. Good, bad, happy and sad. It’s the good memories that will never be forgotten. I love and miss your honey shop at the old house in Greeley, CO. Jessica and I had so many fun times in there while you were hard at work with the bees. You loved those bees! The Broncos too. You taught me who the best team was:) I’ll keep rooting for the Broncos JUST for you. Everyone you know loves you so much. You are so loved by everyone. You always had a helping hand to anyone that needed it. Very much appreciated by everybody. Your family the most. You were such a fantastic grandpa, husband, father and brother. So many great qualities that will always be remembered. I love you dearly Papa! You will always be in my heart. Forever and Always:)
XoXo Heather
R.I.P. Classmate……
So sorry to hear of Billy’s passing. He was a very nice fellow and I was so happy to see him at our class reunion. May he rest in peace. Janet Workman Bailey
Barb,
My heart goes out to you in this time of sorrow. I am glad that you are with Karen, she is a great and loving person. As soon as things settle done here, I would like to come and see you and Karen. Again, I am so sorry for your loss.
Love Ya,
Jeanie
Papa,
Not a day will go by that we won’t miss you. You taught me so much as a little girl. I credit you for my love for football and the Bronocos. One of my greatest memories is when we painted our toenails orange and blue and you let us paint yours too. I am so glad you were able to see all us girls develop our families. Rest in peace papa. We love you and we know when there is an orange blue sunset it’s you watching over us and of course cheering on the Broncos. We love you.
Jason, Alissa, and Katie
We had a great friendship. Adam T. Vigil
Bill I will always remember our good times in Trinidad and all the dances, etc. We were a close knit group of kids who loved and respected each other and after Barb and I graduated and moved to Pueblo, we still had fun at CIG. Even though I have not seen you in a long time I will always have those memories stored in my heart. We will miss you. You are now in a much better place with peace and tranquility.
Billy and I were cousins and also next door neighbors when we were young children. We played together, got in trouble together an were best friends. Even though our paths took us in different directions, I never forgot Billy. In later life we reunited with visits to his home in South Dakota and renewed the companionship we had as kids. Billy will leave a hole in every ones heart that knew him.
Rest in Peace Papa! We are glad that you are not suffering anymore and are in a much happier place. I am so glad that we have all the memories to hold on to that goes back to my childhood of the Bronco games, family picnics in the mountains. I am glad that God chose me to have you as my grandpa and my kids had you as their great grandpa.
With the way that you loved Mopsy and Six Pack, I bet they are so happy to see you again.
Bill stepped in and took over the roll of father and as I ponder the wonderful memories I truly feel I was blessed when he came into our lives. He will always have a special place in my heart. His warm, caring, loving and peaceful spirit brought much happiness to the family for many years. Just thinking of him brings a smile to my face because that’s what he was all about…..love, happiness. I couldn’t have asked for a better “dad”! He was a great dad, and an awesome grandpa and great-grandpa….the great grand kids will always have memories of milkshakes for breakfast with great-grandpa….John Elway and the Broncos…..his love for his Mopsy and Six Pack! Time will eventually heal our hearts but I will forever hold him in my heart. Peace be with you and thank you God for allowing him to be part of my life and my children’s life!
We will miss, “Billy”, as we all knew him as cousins growing up together from a very young age. We’ll always remember his outgoing, caring and happy personality. God Bless!
As for the saying “Don’t grieve for me, for I am free. God wanted me, now He set me free.” That definitely fits Papa. He would want us to celebrate his life. Papa was a wonderful person. He was a wonderful brother, husband, father, grandfather, uncle, and friend. He was there for all of us and always with a smile and a hug. He was a hard worker with everything he did it was so hard to convince him to slow down and take it easy. If I was asked to describe who my grandpa was I would say he was a fun loving person who was a Bronco Fanatic and was like a kid at heart! For everyone who was blessed to know my Papa hugs to all of you!
Rest in Peace, Bill.
As a friend of the family for many years I send my sincere sympathy and prayers to every one. Bill was loved by many and will be missed very much..
May his soul rest in peace
I am saddened to hear of Bill’s passing. I had the privilege of working with Bill at Jack’s Campers and soon became aware that not only was he a gentle man but a true gentleman. I also learned very early on that he had a passion for the Denver Broncos. One didn’t have to talk to Bill about that but rather look at his pickup! I will always remember him as a wonderful person, one who I really enjoyed working with but most of all I will always remember him as “Bronco Billy”. To his family, I extend my condolences and my the Lord comfort you in your time of sorrow.
Billy, was a great Uncle , may he Rest In Peace.
BILL WILL BE MISSED DEARLY. HE MADE THE DAYS GO BY REAL FAST AT WORK. I REMEMBER WHEN HE STARTED WORK AT JACKS CAMPERS WE HAD A SHOW IN RAPID CITY COLDER THEN HECK HE DROVE ARE LIFT TRUCK DOWN TO THE CIVIC CENTER WE GIVE HIM GUFF ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME HE JUST LAUGH. HE WAS A GREAT MAN DO ANYTHING FOR YA IF YOU KNEW HIM. HE WAS A GREAT MAN AND GREAT FRIEND. BROTHER INLAW WAS A BRONCO FAN BUT BILL WAS MORE THAN HIM. BARB THINKING OF YOU AND FAMILY WE WILL KEEP YOU IN ARE PRAYS. GOOD FRIEND KEITH
Billy and I grew up in the same neighborhood, and I think I spent almost as much time at his house, visiting with his sister – my dear friend Barbara – as I did at my own home. Billy was such a wonderful person, always fun to be around – I know his family will miss him so very much.
Rest In Peace
Billy was always my favorite uncle. I will miss him so very much. He is in heven with grandma and papa with no more pain. Rest in peace. My thoughts and prayers go out to Barb and family. Barbara hugs from us. If I can do anything for you let me know.
Bill RIP we will miss U.
Lucille & Charles
I’ll remember my Uncle Bill always. He will be missed!
Bill was a gentle soul and I and I will miss him so much. I loved my brother dearly. My prayers are with Barb and family.
Bill was a great Uncle and he will be missed!
Bill was a very good friend and coworker. He will be missed for sure. He always had a positive and cheery attitude that brightened the day. It’s so good to know that he got to walk the beaches again his last few months. My thoughts and prayers are with Barbara and the family and I know that Bill’s big smile is shining down on you from up above.
Barbara – consider yourself hugged from me!! You were his life!
I will miss Bill so much! He was a wonderful brother and I loved him very much! My heart goes out to Barb and all her family, thoughts and prayers are with you.