Willard Richard Morris
Mr. Willard Richard Morris was born April 13, 1928, in Wayne County, TN to his parents, the late Mr. John Eliphas Morris and Mrs. Minnie Pope Morris. He was raised in the Beech Creek area surrounded by the beauty of nature God has created. He, after his scholastic years, would meet the love of his, life Mrs. Hazel Virginia Davis Morris, and the two would wed on July 3, 1948. They would remain married until her passing on January 19, 2015. The couple made Clifton their forever home, raising their family in the love and admonition of the Lord as they were lifelong members of the Beech Creek Church of Christ. He deeply loved his family, always available for any issue that arose but also possessing a deep love for his country as he served proudly in the Army National Guard for several years. Being a hard worker and excellent provider, Mr. Morris worked for Genesco Boot Manufacturing in Waynesboro for 40 years. Those who knew him best will remember him as a man of great character, family man, service member, and Christian. Mr. Willard Richard Morris departed this life to be with his Lord on May 10, 2025, making his stay on this earth some 97 years and 27 days.
Those left to honor his memory include his daughter, Patsy Bunch and husband Donald; grandchildren, Tina Templeton, Kevin Bunch and wife Kim, and Gina Haddock and husband James, all of Waynesboro; great-grandchildren, Adam Templeton and wife Lynze, Kristen Warren and husband Dillon, Ben Dollar and wife Grace, Gunnar Bunch, Henley Floyd, Hannah Haddock, Hunter Haddock and wife Beth, and Ethan Haddock; great-great-grandchildren, Jaxx, Averi Kate, Aubrey, Keegan, Cassidy, and Leia; several nieces and nephews; as well as many other family members, church family, and friends.
In addition to his parents and wife, he is preceded in death by his brothers Ed Morris, Elmer Morris, Jessie Morris, Fred Morris, Coy Morris and Roy Morris, and sister Opal Pulley.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at 2:00 pm at the Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation, LLC chapel with Dewayne Staggs and Cary Crews officiating. Burial was immediately following chapel services at the Worley Cemetery.
Visitation with the family was on Tuesday, May 13, 2025, from 10:00 am till 2:00 pm service time at the Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation, LLC chapel in Waynesboro, TN.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers were James Haddock, Ben Dollar, Adam Templeton, Jason Morris, Charlie Tatum, Robert Bunch, Kevin Bunch, Brian Staggs, and Walter Davis.
Bates-Love Funeral and Cremation, LLC is honored to serve the family.
