Bill Morgan

Tupelo—Billy Eugene “Bill” Morgan, 80, passed away on November 2, 2022, at North Mississippi Medical Center after a brief illness. Bill was born on the kitchen table of a log cabin in rural MS on December 3, 1941, to John Kimble Morgan and Mary Alice Gillentine Morgan. After Bill’s father tragically passed away when Bill was three, he spent his childhood moving back and forth from Tupelo, where he lived with his beloved Aunt Lou and Uncle Stanley, who viewed him as the child they never had, and Eutaw, Alabama, where he cherished time with his two baby brothers, Johnny and George, who viewed him not only as a brother, but as a father figure and hero.
Bill attended Greene County High School in Eutaw, where his broad shoulders, long arms, and athletic build gave him a knack for playing sports, especially football. Subsequent to briefly attending the University of Alabama, Bill took a job as a bread truck driver at Hardin’s bakery. After a ruined batch of bread caused Bill to use his punting skills on a few loaves, he decided to return to school, attending Mississippi State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy degree with honors. Bill was a man with an unparalleled work ethic who sacrificed many hours with his family to provide a life for them he hadn’t had growing up. He was a brilliant CPA with vast knowledge of his field that earned him wide respect in the professional community. He was still working as partner of M.M. Winkler and Associates at the time of his passing, his quick acumen staying with him to the very last moments.
On January 4, 1974, Bill married the love of his life, Belinda LaPrade Morgan, and they had one daughter, Dana. Bill fiercely protected and doted on Dana, giving her everything except a way to imagine living life without him. Bill and Belinda spent 48 years together before her passing on February 13, 2022. His heart stayed with her, and in many ways he left us due to a broken heart. Bill leaves behind as his lasting legacy, his miracle only grandson, Morgan Townes Booth, and countless others he mentored with his fatherly compassion, guidance, and selfless heart.
Other surviving family members include his daughter, Dana Morgan Booth (Isiah) of Waxahachie, Texas; his two brothers, John Poole (Diane) of Birmingham and George Poole (Rebecca) of Tuscaloosa; his good friend and business partner, Joe Cash; and a host of nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, an infant son, John Vernon Morgan, and a best friend who was a third brother, John Stanford.
Services will be 3 p.m. Sunday, November 6, 2022, at the Jefferson Street chapel of W.E. Pegues with Dr. Keith Cochran presiding. Pallbearers will be Kyle Edmonds, Christopher LaPrade, Andy Poole, Allen Stanford, David Sprich, and Brad Starr. Burial will be in Gilvo Cemetery with a graveside service. Visitation will be 1 p.m. until service time Sunday at W.E. Pegues, Tupelo.
Memorials may be made to Gilvo Cemetery Fund c/o: Jean Walters, P. O. Box 303, Tupelo, Mississippi 38802.
Expressions of sympathy and fond memories may be shared at www.peguesfuneralhome.com .