William R. Morgan, 74, died Jan. 14, 2018. He was born Dec. 27, 1943, in Detroit, Michigan. His love of water and warm weather brought him to Ponte Vedra Beach in 2007.
Bill spent his childhood in both Lombard, Illinois, and Riverside, Connecticut, where he earned the Eagle Scout Award. After graduating from Michigan State University in 1966 as a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and obtaining a B.S. in packaging, he started his career in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Shortly thereafter, he enlisted in the Army and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant at Fort Benning, Georgia. He served as a senior advisor to the Mobile Advisor Team – 44, Kien Giang Province, Republic of Vietnam, during which he and fellow team members received the Combat Infantryman Badge, Bronze Star Medal with “V” Device (and Oak Leaf Cluster) and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry for Heroism in Ground Combat.
After serving in Military Assistance Command Vietnam and the 1st Calvary Division, he left as a captain and began his career with Dow Chemical. Upon retirement from Dow Chemical as a senior sales executive, his career path then led him to The Noble Holdings Company as vice president of operations.
Bill then sought a change and began his service in the public sector working for the Boy Scouts of America. As if working at the Boy Scouts was not enough to keep him busy, he decided to try law enforcement as a marine deputy with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office, where he not only patrolled the many lakes in Michigan, but also taught boating safety.
After giving over 40 years of service to both the public and private sectors, he officially retired from the workforce. During retirement, he became very active with the Ponte Vedra United Methodist Church and committees within Sawgrass Players Community. Bill enjoyed taking therapeutic rides on his motorcycle with frequent stops at the VFW, as well as hunting, fishing and spending time at the Ponte Vedra Lodge & Club with his family and friends.
Bill is survived by his wife Charlene of 51 years; his 4 children, Heather (Jim), Brent (Jennifer), Scott (Dana), Mark (Courtney); and his three grandchildren, Alexis, Grace and Cayson.
A celebration of life is still being decided, and his final resting place will be at Arlington Cemetery. Bill was a very proud veteran and will always be remembered for his honor, dedication and valor! Please visit the online tribute at www.quinn-shalz.com. Services under the direction and care of Quinn-Shalz Family Funeral Home.
