William Carl Lee Morris, Jr.,72, passed from this life at his home in Bertram on Wednesday May
26, 2021. He was known as Sonny by those who knew him and as Grandpa to his favorite
people, his grandkids. He was born on April 29, 1949 at a home in Bertram, where he lived most
of his life. Much of his childhood was spent with his grandpa and Uncles Son and Punk Turner
at Cow Creek. At age 15, he began working on a ranch harvesting and hauling wheat across the
state. In 1969, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Louis,
Washington. In 1970, he deployed to Vietnam where he proudly and bravely served his country
as a Chinook Helicopter Flight Engineer in the 242nd Assault Support Helicopter Company, The
Black Barons. He received the Award of the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while
participating in aerial flights which included at least 25 aerial missions over hostile territory. He
completed his Vietnam Tour and left the United States Army in February 1972. He returned to
Bertram where he met and married the love of his life, Bonnie Sue Brooks, on May 26, 1972.
They spent the next 49 years together, making a home in Bertram where they raised 4 children
in the house he built himself. He made his living as a self-employed building contractor and
custom farmer. He has built and/or serviced countless homes and businesses in Bertram and
surrounding communities. He was a simple man who loved being at home working in his
garden, hunting, fishing, and watching his favorite TV shows with his wife, Bonnie. He was an
amazing cook and loved feeding his family. His pies were not only delicious, they were beautiful.
He was always creating inventions to keep the birds and critters out of his garden and away
from his fruit and pecan trees. He was called Grandpa by his favorite little people and loved
them more than anything. He loved watching his “grandboys” in anything they were involved
in...ball games, concerts, awards ceremonies. If they asked him to be there, he was there. One
of his greatest pleasures was giving rides on the tractor or four-wheeler with a grankid on his
knee. His motto and the way he lived his life was “don’t sweat the small stuff.” He will be deeply
missed by all who knew him.
Sonny is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bonnie Morris; daughter Amy Murray and husband
Grant; daughter Emily Morris; son Justin Morris and wife Kayla; son Jeffrey Morris and wife
Amy; 11 grandchildren, Rhett and Brooks Murray; Conner Klutts; Justin, Liberty, Jedidiah and
Sunny Morris; Mason and Samuel Morris, Taryn and Evan Lampe; sisters Edell Dodd, Patsy
Collins, Carla Reeves and Cindy McPherson; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his son Jason Lee Morris; parents William Carl Lee Morris, Sr. and
Joyce Edell Turner Morris; and sister June Kuepers
Brother-in-law Ronnie Brooks will lead a celebration of Sonny’s life with family and friends at a
memorial service to be held at Bertram Church of Christ on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at 10:00
a.m.
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