William Harvey Morrison

William Harvey Morrison, Jr. 'Harvey' MONROE - William Harvey Morrison, Jr., 94, of Monroe, passed away Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at his residence following a brief illness. Born Sept. 24, 1914, Mr. Morrison was the oldest son of the late Julia Alexander Morrison and William Harvey Morrison, Sr. Mr. Morrison spent much of his childhood in Charlotte, moving with his family to Monroe in 1927. Following graduation from Monroe High School, he attended The University of North Carolina. Mr. Morrison was a veteran, having been called into the service of the United States Navy during World War II. While in the Navy, he served as a Petty Officer Second Class, Gunners Mate and instructed recruits in marksmanship. Mr. Morrison worked for the Coca Cola Bottling Company of Monroe for more than 50 years. He began his career as a student washing bottles and handling crates. He advanced in the company and ultimately became a shareholder, a director and its president and chairman. Mr. Morrison was well known in the Monroe/Union County community for his smile, his friendliness and his strong faith in God. From the time he was a young boy, Mr. Morrison loved to draw. After his retirement he was rarely seen without a drawing pad and pencil. He loved to sketch pictures of family, friends, and places he had been. Many of his most favorite drawings were those depicting his love of hunting with his sons, his grandsons, his hunting buddies and his bird dogs. His friends and family looked forward to his annual Christmas card, which was always a drawing showing his love of his wife, his family, and his church, as well as a Christmas story interpretation powered by his genuine faith. As a youth, Mr. Morrison joined First Presbyterian Church of Monroe, where, during his lifetime, he served as a deacon, an elder, Clerk of Session and chair and member of many committees. The church honored him by naming him an Elder Emeritus. Active in the community, Mr. Morrison especially valued his membership in the Monroe Rotary Club, which named him a Paul Harris Fellow. As a businessman, Mr. Morrison was active in many of Monroe's philanthropic and benevolent causes and activities. In the late 1960s and early '70s, he served on the city's Parks and Recreation Committee and on the Board of Adjustments. Mr. Morrison was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 70 years, Emily Nisbet Morrison. A son, William Harvey Morrison, III, also predeceased him, as well as his sister, Dorothy M. Williams, and his brother, Claude A. Morrison, both of Monroe. Surviving are two daughters, Elizabeth Libby M. Bowers and husband Ronald of Salisbury and Marian M. Sinks and husband Thomas of Black Mountain; one son, Robert M. Morrison and wife Janice, and a daughter-in-law, Judy G. Morrison, all of Monroe. Additionally, Mr. Morrison is survived by 10 grandchildren, William H. Mark Morrison, IV, Bonnie Morrison Baldino, David Scott Morrison, James Gray Morrison, Katherine Katie Bowers Bogle, Susan Bowers Bolden, Emily Caroline Sinks, Marian Elizabeth Maribeth Sinks, Andrew Graham Morrison, Kelly Taylor Morrison; 10 great-grandchildren; plus many extended family and friends. The family of Mr. Morrison recognizes with special gratitude his caregivers, Cori Favor, Brenda Wallace and Allison Laney. Service: Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16 at First Presbyterian Church, 302 East Windsor St. in Monroe. The Rev. Dr. Donald Mitchell will officiate. Interment will follow the service at Lakeland Memorial Park. Visitation: Visitation will be at Gordon Funeral Service, 1904 Lancaster Ave., Monroe, on Thursday evening, Jan. 15 from 6-8 p.m. At other times, the family is gathering at the home of Mr. Morrison's son, Robert M. Morrison. Memorials: Memorials may be sent to First Presbyterian Church, Morrison Endowment for Christian Education, 302 E. Windsor St., Monroe, NC 28112; or to the charity of one's choice. Gordon Funeral Service of Monroe is serving the family of Mr. Morrison. Condolences may be left for the family at www.gordonfuneralservice.com. Published in Salisbury Post on January 15, 2009.