Williston "Bill" Morse Jr.

Williston "Bill" Morse Jr., 98, of Corydon formerly of Russell passed away Sunday, March 16, 2014 at Corydon Nursing & Rehab Center.

Bill was born in Pawnee City, Nebraska the only child to Williston Morse Sr. and his wife Etta (Giesman) Morse. He attended country school as a child that was lighted with kerosene lamps and heated with a potbellied stove. Bill graduated from high school in Table Rock, Nebraska in 1933. Bill was united in marriage to Mabel Mertes on October 12, 1940. Due to the severe drought and depression in the Midwest, he and Mable moved to California where he was employed at Kaiser Shipyard. While working at the shipyard, Bill enrolled in night school to study arc welding. 

After 10 years in California, they returned back to the Midwest where Bill became employed by Solar Aircraft in Des Moines. He helped pioneer the welding of titanium. Bill became about one of a dozen welders in the United States that was certified by the Air Force to weld titanium. Bill and Mabel would later buy a farm in the Chariton area. He finished his working career at Johnson Machine Works in Chariton, retiring in the early 1980's. Bill enjoyed raising cattle and a large garden. He also enjoyed traveling with his wife and attending fairs of all kind from local to state to world fairs. Bill was a past member of the Russell Lions Club and the Allerton Harvest Time Church. He enjoyed his time at the church activities. 

He was preceded in death by his wife Mable Morse and his parents.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Thursday, March 20, 2014 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton with Rev. Ronald Wallace officiating. Interment will be in Chariton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Pierschbacher Funeral Home. Memorials may be given to Corydon Nursing & Rehab Center. Condolences may be shared at www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com