Sgt. William “Bill” Morrow, USMC Ret, of Laurel was a caring husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-law, cousin, and friend. He left this world unexpectedly on Dec. 21, 2022.
He was born in Baltimore, Md. to Leo and Emily Morrow on April 19, 1944. After graduating from City College High School, Bill joined the Marine Corp and served in the Vietnam War, where he was combat wounded and earned a purple heart. After retiring from the corp, Bill met the love of his life, wife Mary-Jo Morrow. Together, they lovingly had and raised three children, 10 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
After his military service, Bill graduated with a degree in law enforcement, and started a career serving others, as a policeman with Baltimore City Schools. He went on to work for the State of Maryland Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms Bureau as a special agent. He retired from the State of MD ATF in 1999, and went on to become supervising agent with the Maryland Alcohol and Drug Abuse Administration prevention office, fully retired in 2006.
Bill had a love for all things outdoors. He was an avid deer, goose, and duck hunter. He loved to fish, crab and boat. His favorite place to be was Ocean City, Md., vacationing there with family and friends at every opportunity. He was an active member of the VFW, Delmar, Md., American Legion, Laurel, where he served as an Honor Guard Member, Fraternal Order of Police, and Vietnam Veterans of America. In their later years, he and his wife Mary-Jo loved to spend time at the casinos playing the slots. He loved to cruise the Caribbean with his wife and family. Bill was the life of every party who always had a story or joke to tell. He never met a stranger, would literally give you the coat off his back if in need, and was completely devoted to his family.
Bill was preceded in death by his mother Emily Morrow (nee Taylor), father Leo Morrow, sister Margret Witkus (nee Morrow), favored uncle Milton Raborg, and many others whom he loved. He is survived by his wife Mary-Jo Morrow (nee Moore), his children Dawn Marie Landry and husband Frank of Cabins, WV, Colleen Emily Bennett and husband Matthew of Laurel, and James William Morrow, wife Jennifer, of Gettysburg, Pa. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Eric Alan Wilson, Jr., Adam James Bennett and wife Jade, Amanda Arlene Wilson, Nicholas Matthew Bennett, MaryKate Bennett, Alexander James Morrow, Eleanor Skye Morrow, Connor Gabriel Morrow, Fintan Paul Morrow, Evangeline Brigid Morrow, Gwendolyn Kathleen, Morrow and great-grandchildren Lillianna Marie Bennett, Lilly May Dean, Haven Marie Wilson, Liam Evan Wilson, Silas James Bennett, Elora Victoria Wilson and many extended family and friends whom he loved.
A viewing was held at Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel on Thursday, Dec. 29. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, an organization Bill supported in life and felt strongly about. Arrangements are in the care of the Hannigan, Short, Disharoon Funeral Home in Laurel.