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Walter Adams Morris Jr.
Walter Adams Morris Jr. of Williamsburg, Virginia, and formerly of Plandome Manor and Water Mill, died on August 25 at home, surrounded by his family. He was 91.
Described by survivors as a true renaissance man, he lived a happy life, including 66 years spent with his wife, Suzy. Born on June 25, 1921 in New York City, he was the son of the late Walter and Margaret Morris. He graduated from Regis High School in 1938 and the College of the Holy Cross in 1942, where the yearbook captured the essence of his spirit, “Meet W.A. the debonair New Yorker, the good looking boy with the Pepsodent smile, man of good cheer, usually successful after apparently little effort, always looked as though he stepped directly from a page in Esquire. A care-free cosmopolite who was essentially a scholar and honors man.”
Following his first year at Columbia Law School, he served as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. After the war, he returned to Columbia, where he was a Kent Scholar. Mr. Morris always joked that he would have been first in his class had it not been for his many late nights courting his wife before they were married. He happily settled for being number three in his class and he married Suzy on September 10, 1949, in St. Patrick’s Cathedral. They had more than a marriage. It was a great love story of 63 years, survivors said.
Mr. Morris began his law career at Shearman and Sterling (1947-57), served as assistant general counsel at W.R. Grace and Co. (1957-69), and retired as vice president, secretary and general counsel at Consolidated Edison Co. of New York (1969-86). He and his wife raised six children in Manhasset, where they lived for 40 years.
They moved to Kingsmill in Williamsburg in 1997, where they were very happy and met wonderful friends and neighbors. Walter treasured his friendships with his fellow members of the Crown Colony Club. He found great pleasure writing essays for the Virginia Gazette, playing golf, and reading American history.
The highlight of his day was reading the New York Times, which he read for 83 years. He proudly completed the daily crossword puzzle right up to the end of his life. Part of the “Greatest Generation,” Mr. Morris was a man of integrity and conducted his life to the highest standards. He was an extraordinary son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend. His handsome face, beautiful blue eyes, enthusiasm, energy, wisdom and wit will be remembered by all who knew him. His great loves were his family, books and country, survivors said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Morris is survived by his children, Susan and Joan of Virginia, Walter III “Skip” and his wife Penni of Florida, Jonathan and his wife Margaret of Connecticut and New York City, Nancy Miller and her husband Kevin of Manhasset and Water Mill, and Ann Barrett and her husband Jonathan of Maryland; and five grandchildren, Kevin, Gordon, Catherine, Nancy and Betsy. He was predeceased by a brother, Dr. Robert D. Morris of New York City and Water Mill.
A funeral Mass was held at St. Bede Roman Catholic Church in Williamsburg last week. Burial was at Southampton Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of the Nelsen Funeral Home in Williamsburg.
Memorial donations may be made to Regis High School, 55 East 84th Street, New York, NY 10028.
on Aug 29, 2012