William "Warren" Morris, Jr., age 81, left this earth on March 17, 2022, on the 39th anniversary of the day he married Judy.
Thank you to the staff of Trinity Hospice Services, Loving Funeral Home, Roland Vaults and Cremation, and Bacon’s Castle Baptist Church for their services and loving compassion extended to Warren and Judy.
Warren was born and raised in Norfolk County (now Chesapeake, Virginia). In 1962 he moved to the Richmond, VA area (Henrico and Hanover County) where he lived for 54-years before returning to his hometown in 2016.
Warren was preceded in death by his parents, William Warren Morris, Sr. and Dorothy Dorn McCoy Morris, eldest son Christopher Ray Morris, sister Betty Jo Morris Koon, brother-in-law Theron Edwin Koon and sister-in-law Debora Garber Crystal-Belanger. The death of Chris just 49-days prior, was far more painful to Warren than any cancer that spread throughout his body. Warren’s memory will forever be treasured by his wife, Judy Hudson Morris; son Jeffrey “Scott” Morris, Sr. and wife Leslie Shiembob Morris; daughter-in-law Angela Sanders Morris; grandchildren Jessica Morris, Justin Morris and Jeffrey Morris, Jr.; mother-in-law Jacqueline Fox Rainey (Carl Prevatte); sisters-in-law Dotty Hudson Flowers (Billy), Darlene Hudson Bagley (Ben) and Belinda Hudson Hogge (Bobby); brother-in-law Henry Hudson, Jr. (Rose); nephew Theron “Terry” Koon, Jr. (Diane); niece Sherry Koon Riddick (Dean); first-wife Linda Morris; and many other loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and dear friends.
Warren attended Deep Creek schools and was a popular student and natural-born athlete. He was proud to be a “Creeker.” During high school Warren served as Captain of the football and the baseball teams and was voted Best Looking by his classmates. After high school Warren continued to play sports on various adult teams, but his favorite sport was playing golf. During decades of playing golf with Gene Walters, a childhood friend that he loved like a brother, they talked about their dream of someday getting a hole-in-one. Four days after Gene passed away, Warren told his “fishing hole” buddies that he wasn’t sure he wanted to play golf that day. But Judy convinced Warren that Gene would want him to play. It was on this day, August 1, 2012, that Warren got his first and only hole-in-one. He didn’t even realize the ball went in until his buddies told him. Warren always felt in his heart that Gene was there with him and that together they finally made their hole-in-one.
In 1994, after 32-years of service, Warren retired as a Master Trooper with the Virginia State Police (VSP). Warren joined the force when he was 21-years old, and he was proud and honored to serve with the “best of the best” members of the VSP. Warren spent the last eight years of service in the Executive Protection Unit which provides protection to Virginia’s governors, lieutenant governors and other visiting dignitaries. Warren embodied the loyal, trusted protector, guarding not only the man, but his privacy and secrets too. When asked what these politicians were really like behind closed doors, Warren never spilled the beans. Instead, Warren would share that he most admired governor L. Douglas Wilder and senator J. Sargeant Reynolds. He said these were truly great men that treated coat-check clerks with the same respect they gave to leaders of states and countries. This was the way Warren treated everyone, so it was only fitting that he admired this quality in others.
While on security for Governor Wilder, Warren had many once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Warren was deeply touched when Wilder would suggest that he work assignments that included experiences that Wilder knew he would really enjoy. Experiences such as flying on private jets, staying in grand places, playing golf with the Governor on exclusive courses, attending the Presidential Ball at the White House and visiting numerous countries throughout the world. Warren met various celebrities and dignitaries but was most touched when Muhammad Ali performed two tricks just for him, including an unbelievable levitation trick. Warren’s ultimate “dream of a lifetime” was when he attended Super Bowl XXVI with Governor Wilder and watched from the Owner’s Box (Jack Kent Cooke) as his favorite team, the Washington Redskins (now Commanders), won the game. Over the course of several days while staying in the same hotel as the team, Warren got to meet and talk with several players.
Most of Warren’s friends and family never knew about all these great experiences because Warren was the epitome of a strong, silent type of man and not one to ever brag or boast. Warren never wanted to be in the limelight. He also never wanted the stress of climbing a career ladder, even though over the years many of his supervisors suggested he do so. Warren did not seek validation from others or want certificates of achievements hanging on his wall. He only wanted to be a respectable man, a good father and husband, and loyal friend. A man that earned an honest living and enjoyed a relaxing and comfortable life. Those who know Warren, know that he was all this and so much more. Warren was truly a real-life Superman, and until we meet him again, we will miss our beautiful Superman.
Warren’s ashes will be venerated in a private ceremony at the Old Brick Church (Lawnes Creek Parish) in Bacon’s Castle, VA (Surry County). The ruins of this small church built in 1754 are on the National Register of Historic Places. Many of Warren’s relatives are buried in its cemetery going back hundreds of years, including William Allen Warren who purchased the Bacon’s Castle estate in 1880, Walker Pegram Warren, the last individual owner of Bacon’s Castle, and the brother of Warren’s great-great-great-great-grandfather, Jessie Phillips Warren, II, who fought in the American Revolutionary War.
A service will be held for Warren on Saturday, April 9, 2022, at 12:00 p.m. at Bacon’s Castle Baptist Church located at 86 Bacon’s Castle Trail, Surry VA 23883. A light lunch will be served afterwards. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Warren’s honor to the Bacon’s Castle Baptist Church. Those wishing to send flowers, please send them to the church on April 8th. Also, please consider bulb flowers such as daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, crocus, dahlia and/or lilies so that Warren’s family can later plant these bulbs at the cemetery, and then like our love for Warren, these beautiful flowers will continue to live on.