William J. Morrison

William John (Bill) Morrison, 87, of Amherst, NH passed away October 19, 2019 at his home. Bill was born in New York City on March 13, 1932 to William H. and Alice T. Morrison.

Bill was a resident of Amherst for more than 50 years. He was educated in NYC schools and graduated from the Baron DeHerst High School specializing in Aviation Trades. He joined the Marine Corps and earned the rank of Sargent. He was very proud of his Marine service and was honorably discharged. He went on in law enforcement and served as the Chief of Police in both Rollinsford and Amherst, NH before joining the NH State Police from which he retired in 1995.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman and loved to hunt and fish. He won gold medal for archery at the US Senior Olympics. He loved to travel, either on his motorcycle or in the car and was known for his response to the question “where are you headed” with “I’ll let you know when I get there”. Bill was an active member of the Benevolent Lodge #7 F & AM, Milford and served as the Most Excellent Grand High Priest of the York Rite of NH for 2 terms. He was a parishioner of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Merrimack, NH.

He was married to the love of his life, Anne Irene (Lebranche) Morrison for 64 years until her death in 2014. Together they raised three children; William & his wife Erika of Gilmanton, NH, Debora & her husband Bob Nilsen of Amherst, and Helen & her husband Eric Jensen of Brookline, NH. He had three grandchildren, Patrick Morrison, Christine Nilsen and Danielle Day; and three great grandchildren, Xavier, Alexis and Jase.

Calling hours are Thursday, October 24, 2019 from 6-8pm at Smith & Heald Funeral Home, 63 Elm Street, Milford, NH. A masonic service will be conducted at 7:30pm. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Friday, October 25, 2019 at 10:00am at St. John Neumann Church, 708 Milford Road, Merrimack, NH. Burial with military honors will follow at 12:30pm at the NH State Veterans Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Highway, Boscawen, NH.

Arrangements are in the care of Smith & Heald Funeral Home, Milford. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please go to www.smith-heald.com.