Billy Charles "Bill" Morgan

Funeral services for Billy Charles “Bill” Morgan, 80, of Lufkin, will be held Friday, July 6, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. in the Carroway Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Mark Newton and Reverend Walker McWilliams officiating. Masonic graveside services will follow at 2:00 p.m. Friday in the Evergreen Cemetery in Jasper under the auspices of the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669, A.F. & A.M.

Billy Charles Morgan was born January 11, 1938 in Pineland, Texas to Alvin and Nellie Morgan, and died Friday, June 29, 2018 in CHI St. Luke’s-Memorial hospital. He and his family moved to Jasper, Texas in the year 1950, and he graduated from Jasper High School in 1956. He was president of the band his senior year.

Bill had a very strong work ethic all his life, beginning at age 11 when he worked at a neighborhood grocery to be able to buy himself a bike.  In high school, he worked for Due’s Minimax in the meat department and continued after graduation. In June of 1959, he and Sandra Pace married; and he worked at Due’s until 1963, then moved to Due’s Minimax in Beaumont, Texas, as head of the meat market. Then he worked at Fleming & Co. until 1968, when he was hired at Brookshire Brothers in Lufkin, Texas, to work as supervisor for the meat department. He became head of the meat department, and developed the meat program, deli program, and bakery program for Brookshire Bros. He helped design the Central Bakery. He was a Vice President for Brookshire Bros. and also helped design and install the décor in the stores.

In the fall of 1989, he went into partnership with his friend, Pat Hardwick, in the meat brokerage business as Project Brokers & Trade. Bill also started a second business, Creative Resources Services, where he continued designing and installing store décor. Both businesses are still in service.

Bill was a 32 ^nd degree Scottish Rite Mason with the Lufkin Masonic Lodge #669, A.F. & A.M. and member of the Knights Templar, serving a term as Commander of the lodge. Bill served as president of the local Shriners and was a member of the Roadsters Club. He received the Samson Award for his service, one of the highest awards in the Shrine.

Bill was a member of the Lufkin Kiwanis Club, serving as president for 2002-2003, and was Lt. Governor for 2005-2006. He participated in the Kiwanis Turkey Shoots and the TV auctions, and was Auction Coordinator for several years. Bill received the Distinguished Service Award for 2002-2003 and Kiwanian of the Year, 2003-2004 and 2005-2006. Bill was also given the George Hixson Medal from his fellow Kiwanians.

Bill was a self-taught musician who played by ear. He played the guitar, trumpet, baritone, steel guitar and harmonica. He backed George Jones, Tex Ritter and the Hagger Twins. His last performance was with a gospel group. Bill enjoyed golfing, antiques, RV traveling and being with family and friends. He and his wife made several travel trips to Europe, Israel, Thailand, and Hong Kong, and to Germany for the Passion Play in 2000. He went to Oahu for the International Convention. As per his work ethic, he was one of the few who went to the last day’s meeting.

He also loved to cook and was a good cook. He loved ice cream, watermelon, fried fish, banana pudding and three-layer pie. He loved his girls and granddaughters, and they loved him. His continued saying was “I love my family.”

Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Sandra (Pace) Morgan of Lufkin; daughters and sons-in-law, Stephanie and Keith Mangrum, Dianne and Ricky Schmidt, all of Lufkin; beloved granddaughters, Alexandra Nicole Wallace and Chrissii Schmidt, both of Lufkin; great-grandson, Sawyer Kimmey of Lufkin; sisters and brother-in-law, Pauline Crosby of Jasper, Johnnie Ruth and Kenny Johnson of Huntsville; nieces and husbands, Sherrie and Ronny Sandrock of Brookland, Donna and Cliff Self, Laura Morgan of Katy, Danielle and James Sayler of The Woodlands; nephews, Gabe Johnson and wife Tara of Riverside, Aaron Johnson of San Francisco;  brothers-in-law, James Pace of Cushing and Wesley Pace of Kirbyville; as well as a number of great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by a beloved granddaughter, Morgan Elizabeth “Lizzie” Wallace; parents, Alvin and Nellie Morgan; parents-in-law, Wesley and Kathleen Pace; brother, Arthur Morgan; brother-in-law, Bailey Crosby; and his great friend, Pat Hardwick.

Pallbearers will be Marvin Henderson, Donald Morgan, Roger Parker, Randall Colmer, Randy Deal and Steve Hancock.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dub Cox, Steve Phillips, Buddy Colmer, Terry Tate, Gene Brookshire, Juan Contreras and Doug George, as well as his fellow Shrine and Kiwanis members.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Lufkin, 106 East Bremond, Lufkin, Texas 75901; Make A Wish America, Gift Processing, 4742 North 24 ^th St., Suite 400, Phoenix, AZ 85016; or your favorite charity.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Thursday evening at the funeral home.

Memories and condolences may be added, and live webcasting of the services may be viewed at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors