William “Mr. Bill” G. Morgan, Jr., 91, passed away at 8:17 p.m. Friday, July 22, 2022, at his home surrounded by friends and family.
Mr. Bill was born May 28, 1931, in Cambridge, Ohio the son of William G. and Bernice Morgan. He married Lorraine E. Stromquist in 1953 at the First United Methodist Church. She preceded him in death on September 13, 2021. For 68 years they did everything as a team – they were true partners in every sense of the word. Mr. Bill and Lorraine left this Earth a better place and now they are once again united in heaven continuing to shine their bright lights on us on earth.
Mr. Bill is survived by his loving children to whom he was very proud as they were of him: Craig (Melissa) Morgan of Lisle, Illinois, Cary (Denice) Morgan of Fort Mill, South Carolina, Curt (Teresa) Morgan of Alpharetta, Georgia, and Candy Morgan-Dailey of Galesburg. Also surviving is his brother, Robert L. Morgan of Indianapolis, Indiana and his 11 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Mr. Bill graduated from Galesburg High School in 1949 and Western Illinois State college (now Western Illinois University) in 1954 where he played basketball. After college, he served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. Upon returning from military service, Mr. Bill pursued his dream of returning to his hometown and serving the community as an educator and coach – where with his brother they became legendary as Mr. Bill and Mr. Bob. Mr. Bill had a clear common sense understanding of life and lived to help mentor young people to become productive members of society regardless of where they came from. While he may be best known for his coaching and Xs and Os, anyone who played sports for him knows that he was as much a life coach as anything – sports were just a conduit.
Bill and Lorraine spent 20 years working at Lake Lawn Swim and Tennis Club every summer where they made many lifelong friends. Lake Lawn was a clean, friendly, fun, and safe place where you could trust leaving your kids because you knew Mr. Bill and Lorraine, and the loyal staff, would keep an eye on them. Mr. Bill and Lorraine were the fabric that made Lake Lawn a special place and many of us are the beneficiaries of the memories there during the summers.
Mr. Bill’s wishes were to be cremated. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday, July 30, 2022, at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services. Services will follow at noon at the chapel with Chaplain Jordan Knight officiating. Masks are recommended for the Visitation and Service. Lunch will be provided following services. The family requests that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
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