The family of William "Bill" Enoch Morgan, 101, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the military honors of one of our Greatest Generation Heroes as he is laid to rest with his beloved wife. It will be our privilege to do so.
The following is the obituary written by our Hero's son, JR, in Bill’s perspective.
"My name is William Enoch Morgan. I was born on October 20, 1920 in Garland, Missouri. On February 25, 2022 at 2:30 pm, I passed away peacefully with my two sons at my side. They were with me to the end. Thanks boys. I was 101 years old.
Being from Missouri, I grew up on a farm. I attended Victor School, a one-room schoolhouse. That is where I met Dorothy, my childhood sweetheart. When Pearl Harbor was bombed, I was fresh off the farm and in A1 condition. I got drafted into the Army Air Corps. Before reporting for duty, I married Dorothy. I spent two-and-one-half years in Northern Africa. If someone asked what my job was, I told them pilot. Grab a tray, get in line, and I’ll pile it with food. I was a cook.
When I got back from the war, Dorothy and I had 2 sons. I tried to farm and make a living, but it was not meant to be. I sold the farm in 1956 and headed west on Route 66 with my wife and children. We ended up in Bloomington, California. I found good employment at Fontana Steel, fabricating steel rebar. I retired on disability in 1974.
While living in Missouri, a neighbor convinced me that I needed to go to church. So, I did. I became a Deacon of the Garland Baptist Church on October 16, 1955. I continued attending church and doing the Lord’s work with my family in California.
Dorothy and I traveled all over the country in our RV visiting family and making new friends. It broke my heart when my Dorothy passed away on June 21, 2005. We had been married 64 years. I have lived by myself ever since.
I took up wood carving. You pick up a block of wood and see something in it and carve it. Many of my wood carvings are on display at the Henry County Museum in Clinton, Missouri.
Dorothy and I had two sons: William Jr, whose wife’s name is Shirley, and Jerry, whose wife’s name is Rose. I have 4 grandchildren: Melinda, Timothy, Tuesday, and Kimberly. I have 10 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren.
Thanks to all of my family and friends for being there for me. You are all very special to me. Because of you I’ve had a good life."NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, this is a flag line only (FLO) mission at Green Acres Memorial Park. For those who would like to participate, please see the timetable and we will meet you there.
TIMETABLE FOR TUESDAY, 05 APRIL 20221015 – Stage at Green Acres Memorial Park, 11715 Cedar Ave, Bloomington, CA.
https://goo.gl/maps/KVwEQAUwmL1evBm781030 – Mission briefing.
1115 – Flag line as Hero is brought out of the chapel to the coach and taken to the gravesite for flag line and military honors.
Lillian Riddell
SoCalPGR Mission Ops/Ride Captain
lilygirl54@roadrunner.com(909) 855-2623
"Standing For Those Who Stood For Us"
"Riding With Respect”“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance through the rain”You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the Ride Captain (RC). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring.
