W.E. "Billy" Morgan

W.E. (Billy) Morgan, age 86, passed away peacefully Tuesday morning in Magnolia Health and Rehab after a brief illness. He was preceded in death by his wife Marye Anne Warnock Morgan, his parents W.E. (Willie) and Ruth Morgan, and a great-grandson, Eli Goddard. Billy was born June 19, 1926 in Stephens, Ark. He and his family moved to Magnolia in 1935 where he graduated from Magnolia High School. In the Air Force, he was stationed on Okinawa in 1945-46. Upon his return he enrolled in A&M College and later attended Northwestern University. He met and married the love of his life, Marye Anne Warnock. He joined the family business in 1949 and owned and managed Warnock Furniture 40 years until his retirement. He invested in his community serving on the founding board of Independent Living Center, the Magnolia Chamber of Commerce, and the Jaycees. He also served on the Board of Directors of First National Bank (Bancorp South) many years. He invested heavily in his church, Central Baptist. He served as a deacon and sang in the church choir nearly 40 years. His greatest love was teaching 11 and 12 year old boys in Sunday school, which he did for over 30 years. He loved to share the gospel message and he had the joy of leading several of "his Sunday School boys" to faith in Christ. Later he joined College View Baptist to be with his family in his senior years. Finally he invested in his family. He was a good husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His family looked to him as their rock. He is survived by two sons John (wife Betty) and Steve, six grandchildren, and 15 great-grandchildren. He also loved as his own his extended family Shan Pletcher and her daughters. He is also survived by several cousins. Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. at College View Baptist Church. Visitation with family will be one hour preceding the service, beginning at 1 p.m. at the church. Officiating at the service will be Bro. Steven McAbee and Bro. Mike Silvey. A graveside service will follow at Magnolia Memorial Park. His grandsons and great-grandsons will serve as pallbearers. Jack Marshall, Dr. Charles Kelley, Zane Barnett, Partee Tuberville, Dale Bell, Homer Greer, Larry Burrow, and Jerry Jones will be honorary pallbearers. Services are under the direction of Lewis Funeral Home. www.lewisfuneralhome.biz.