of Helena, AR
September 12, 1921 - October 6, 2017
Walter Luther Morris, Sr., 96, went to be with the Lord on October 6, 2017, surrounded by his family at his home. Walter was born in Helena, Arkansas, on September 12, 1921, to Walter Morris and Leonora Hornor Morris. He moved to West Helena at age six and resided there until his death.
After graduating Helena High School, he attended the University of Virginia for one year before transferring to the University of Arkansas where he graduated with honors in 1943. He was a Sigma Chi, as are his son, Walter Jr., and grandsons Trey Morris and Douglas Maclay.
After college he joined the Navy and served his country in active duty from 1943 to 1946 as a Lieutenant Junior Grade. Most notably, he was an officer on the USS Loy and fought at the Battle of Okinawa. He was in the Navy Reserves until 1956 and was honorably discharged as a Lieutenant.
Upon returning to Helena after World War II, Walter went to work in the family business Twin City Transit. He built the business from buses and taxis to leasing cars and trucks, which became Hornor-Morris Transportation. In 1961 he and his cousins, Lawson D. Hornor and John J. Hornor, bought Askew-Jones Lumber Company. They renamed it H&M Lumber Company and expanded the business to ready-mix concrete, concrete block manufacturing and subdivision development. It
is still in business, owned and operated by his son, Walter L. Morris, Jr. He also owned and operated Hornor-Morris Abstract Company after his mother retired. Walter had a passion for business opportunities, once having said, ''I've made an investment in just about everything you could except a jetliner. I've had a railroad car, a barge, even a Greyhound bus and a cow or two. Some worked out okay and some didn't.''
Walter met his future wife, Bennette Johnson of Clarendon, Arkansas, in December of 1951 and they were married June 12, 1952. During 65 years of marriage he became a loving father of four, Margaret Bennett Morris Sellers, husband Paul; Mary Virginia ''Gina'' Morris; Walter Luther Morris, Jr., wife Jayne McCain; Leonora Harriet Morris Maclay, husband Doug. The family tree grew with seven grandchildren, Callie Bennett Sellers Towles, husband Allen; Margaret Morris ''Mollie'' Sellers;
Walter Luther Morris III, wife Elizabeth ''Liz'' Bernie; Mary McCain Morris Cole, husband Josh; Meredith Pointer Maclay; Claire Parkhill Maclay; and Douglas Weller Maclay III. Then he became a great-grandfather to Campbell William Towles, Caroline Bennett Towles, Lawson Allen Towles, and Walter Luther Morris IV. He treasured his time with family, including annual summer vacations, and celebrating their milestones.
Walter loved his community throughout his life, especially in the areas of health and education. He was a founding board member of Phillips County Community College and actively served on the board for over 50 years. His most recent contribution to the college was his encouragement to add commercial truck driving as a degree. The program was implemented in the Spring of 2017. He also served on the board of the Helena Hospital from 1946 to 2000 and was president from 1980 to 1988. He was instrumental in the building of the new hospital which opened in 1979. Other civic
interests include the Phillips County Chamber of Commerce of which he served as president and was the Chamber Citizen of the Year in 1954. He was a West Helena alderman. He served on the Helena National Bank and Merchants & Farmers Bank boards. He was on the Helena Bridge Steering Committee leading to the bridge being built and opened in 1961.
He was on the Board of the Directors of Sandestin Hilton General Partners from 1988 to 2005, serving as board president from 1993 to 1995. He made many good friends through his association with the Hilton and was always quick to praise those who worked hard to make it such a success.
Golfing and mowing the lawn on the ''Big Green Tractor'' were two of his favorite hobbies. He seldom missed a Wednesday or Saturday afternoon golf game and played into his 90's.
We are so grateful for the wonderful caregivers that attended Walter Sr., Mary Jane Patterson, Debbie Dyce, Alice Dunn, Mary Williams, Lois Suggs and Shakina Gates, as well as the staff of Kindred Hospice. Walter, also known as Dad, Da and Uncle Walter, will be sorely missed by his family, but we are consoled by the fact that his great-grandson and namesake,
Walter Luther Morris IV, welcomed him to Heaven. We feel sure Walt IV is watching Nemo while Walter Sr. is enjoying a Java Mocha Chiller.
Visitation will be Tuesday, October 10, at 1:00 at St. John's Episcopal Church in the undercroft followed by a Celebration of Life at 2:00 in the church, 625 Pecan Street, Helena, Arkansas. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Phillips County Community College Foundation, P.O. Box 785, Helena, Arkansas, 72342; Warriors for Walt, www.warriorsforwalt.com; or St. John's Episcopal Church, Helena, Arkansas.
Services will be directed by Roller-Citizens Funeral Home, West Helena, (870) 572-2571.
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21 Condolence(s)
Sue Schafer
Friday, October 13, 2017
I’m so sorry for your loss. He was such a sweet man and I have so many fond childhood memories, always being made to feel at home, when I would come visit Harriet! Sending love and prayers to the family!
Clara McClure Williamson
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Bennett, Paul & family so very sorry for your loss. May God comfort you all at this sad time. Phillips County lost a great citizen.
Roland & Clara Williamson
Shirley Key Garner
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Condolences from the Key and Garner family respectivly. Fond memories I have of Mr.Morris as a child wondering thru H&M with dad (Rollie). A blessing he was to so many. He touched so many people. Lil Walter as dad would call you, my prayers is for strenght for you and the family. God bless you all
Shirley Key-Garner, aka Mr. Keys son.
Barbara Riddell
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
May Christ comfort the Morris Family. Thanks to Mr. Morris for his service to our community.
Charlie Polk
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
To the family, so sorry to hear about Mr. Morris. Such a nice man who will be sorely missed. I remember him very fondly from my days at Helena Country Club. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Charlie and Nancy Polk
William Johnston
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you. May GOD Bless
Missy Ishmael
Tuesday, October 10, 2017
The Morris family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Mark and Sonya Murphy
Monday, October 9, 2017
Walter, Jayne and family, we are so sorry to hear of Mr Walter's passing. He was a true southern gentleman and an entrepreneur extraordinaire. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the entire family.
Billie Sue Rohrscheib
Monday, October 9, 2017
We loved this sweet man, and his family! He will be missed by everyone that was blessed to have him in their life. Our prayers are with you. Henry and Billie Sue Rohrscheib
Stacy Ragsdale Ervin
Monday, October 9, 2017
Harriet and Family,
I was saddened to hear of Mr Morris's passing. Love and prayers to you all.
Sincerely
Stacy
Gini Godwin Hudson
Monday, October 9, 2017
My first trip to Helena-West Helena was at his and Ms Bennett's home with Gina. Great man!!
Darrell and Joy Cole
Monday, October 9, 2017
So sorry for your loss.
Garrison Family
Monday, October 9, 2017
So sorry for the loss of y'all loved one
Dennis wilson
Monday, October 9, 2017
Walter Morris is one of the finest men I know. He always had a kind word for me when we would visit or see him around town. He and Bennette was always a blessing to me and my family. Walter will be truly missed by everyone who knew him. May God bless and comfort the Morris family.
Doug Friedlander
Monday, October 9, 2017
The children of our community owe an incalculable debt to Mr. Morris for his essential and visionary support of the Boys & Girls Club of Philips County. His positive impact will long outlive him and that is a testament to a life well-lived.
Jeff Copeland
Monday, October 9, 2017
I'm so sorry to here Mr. Walter passed away. A few years ago I stopped in to H&M and even though more than 25 years had passed as soon as he saw me he called me by name and promptly got on to me for waiting so long to come by for a visit. He will be missed by all.
Jeff Copeland
June White
Monday, October 9, 2017
So very sorry for your loss. I pray that God will hold you in his arms.
June White
Dorie Tate
Monday, October 9, 2017
So sorry for your loss!!! GREAT MAN!!!!
Larry and Ruth Denson
Monday, October 9, 2017
May the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, guard your hearts and your minds in your hour of bereavement. You are in our prayers.
Sharon Holland Lawson
Monday, October 9, 2017
My deepest sympathy to the Morris family. Such wonderful memories flood my mind of spending Friday nights with Gina in this home and playing in the summer house. My aunt Beulah Roberson was a long time employee of the transit company working alongside his mother and Mr. Morris in the office. Helena/West Helena has lost another great one. May you find peace in the Great Comforter as you mourn this great loss.
jim mayer
Monday, October 9, 2017
Walter was a great family man and community leader. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Jim & Diane Mayer & Mayer family