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.