Obituary: Willis James “Bill” Morse
May 23, 1944 – April 30, 2024
May 10, 2024UPDATE | September 12: A memorial service in honor of Willis James “Bill” Morse will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 2 p.m. at Harwood Union High School in South Duxbury. A reception will follow. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Duxbury Historical Society, C/O Mark Morse, 804 U.S. Rt. 100 South Duxbury, VT 05660, or Winooski Masonic Lodge #49 Scholarship Fund, P.O. Box 186, Waterbury, VT 05676. To send online condolences please visit perkinsparker.com.
Willis James “Bill” Morse. Courtesy photo
Willis James “Bill” Morse, 79, a lifelong resident of Duxbury, passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, April 30, 2024, in Duxbury. Born in Duxbury on May 23, 1944, he was the son of the late Willis Howard and Barbara Agnes (Callahan) Morse.
Bill was a 1962 graduate of Waterbury High School. He served in the United States Army 1965-1968 and was stationed in Germany during his service. He also served in the Vermont National Guard Reserves. After his military service, he worked for the State of Vermont Transportation Agency's Right-of-Way Division in Montpelier as the Right-of-Way Division Section Chief until he retired.
He had a great sense of humor and loved hunting and fishing, traveling around the state to his many meetings. He also had the pleasure of traveling with his extended family on a few adventures. He loved basketball and volunteered to do the stats for all the division playoffs for high school boys and girls basketball at the Barre Auditorium for at least 50 years. He also did stats for WDEV in the past when they broadcast local basketball games.
Bill cared for the Duxbury Corner Cemetery for many years. It was a labor of love passed down to him from his father. He also was the Sexton of Hope Cemetery in Waterbury for several years. His memberships are numerous. Life memberships include Elks #1535 of Barre, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Past Officers Association Maine #1, Vermont Old Cemetery Association, Duxbury and Warren Historical Societies.
Willis J. Morse, Masonic Memberships: Winooski Lodge #49 Free & Accepted Masons (Past Master), York Rite, Waterbury Chapter, #24, Royal Arch Masons (Past High Priest), Barre Council #22, Royal & Select Masters (Past Thrice Illustrious Master), Mt. Zion Commandery #9, Knights Templar (Past Commander), St. Helena Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine (Past Sovereign), Green Mountain York Rite College #139 (Past Governor, Past Grand Governor), Vermont Priory #45, Knights of the York Cross of Honor (Past Prior), Ancient, Accepted Scottish Rite, Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, Gamaliel Washburn Lodge of Perfection (Past Master), Mt. Calvary Council, Princes of Jerusalem (Past Sovereign Prince), Frank J. Martin Chapter, Rose Croix (Past Master), Vermont Consistory, Coroneted 33 Degree, Mt. Sinai Shriners, Charles B. Adams Chapter, Order of DeMolay (Legion of Honor), Order of the Eastern Star Queen Esther Chapter #7, Internation Order of Odd Fellows Valley Lodge #16. Bill presided over the three Grand York Rite Bodies of Vermont: Grand Chapter, Grand Council and Grand Commandery. He served the Grand Lodge of Vermont as Grand Marshal, District Deputy, Grand Master of District #6 and Grand Senior Deacon.
Bill is survived by his siblings, Joyce Gingras and her husband Jim, of Berlin, Martha Jillson of Readsboro, Mark Morse and his wife Bonnie, of South Duxbury, Laura Titus and her husband Greg, of Waitsfield; brother-in-law Donald Foote; many nieces and nephews and extended family. He was predeceased by two sisters, Marjorie Foote and Judy Douglas; brother-in-law Phillip Jillson; two nephews, Philip Jillson II and Robert Douglas; and nieces Lisa Jillson and Jennifer Morse.
A memorial service will be held later this summer. For those who wish, memorial gifts would be appreciated to the Duxbury Historical Society, C/O Mark Morse, 804 VT Rte. 100 South Duxbury, VT 05660 or Winooski Masonic Lodge #49 scholarship fund, P.O. Box 186, Waterbury, VT 05676. To send online condolences, please visit perkinsparker.com.