William C. Morey

Obituary of William Morey, Jr. William C. Morey, Jr. (Commander Bill), of Leesburg, Florida passed away on Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2015 just a few days shy of his 93rd Birthday. Bill was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on December 12th, 1922 and graduated from Harding High School where he played trumpet in the marching band. Bill's musical endeavors also included playing trumpet in a very popular Dance Band that performed at various venues around Connecticut including Pleasure Beach. Following High School, Bill entered the Navy ROTC program at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute (VPI) and entered the Naval Cadet Aviation Training Program as an Ensign. After earning his Navy Wings, Bill achieved the rank of Lieutenant JG and served as a pilot during WWII, the Korean War era and beyond flying a broad range of aircraft including: early bi-plane trainers, various fixed-wing / multi-engine aircraft, the Navy's PBY (flying boats) and ultimately land and aircraft carrier based helicopter operations. Upon achieving the rank of Naval Commander, Bill was assigned to JACE (Joint Alternate Command Element) under the Joint Chiefs of Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A notable event during this period was his participation in support of President John F. Kennedy's successful de-escalation of the Cuban Missile Crises. During the Navy years, the family joked about: not having lived in one place for more than three years and having crossed the Mississippi River multiple times (East to West, West to East ...etc.). A few of the locations where Bill was stationed included: Whidbey Island, WA - San Diego and Monterey, CA - St. John's, Newfoundland - Olatha, KS - Pensacola and Cocoa Beach, Fl. - Virginia Beach and Fairfax, VA - East Greenwich, RI. Following his retirement from the Navy in 1961, Bill accepted a management position with Eastern Airlines and relocated the family first to New Jersey and then to Miami, Florida. The Morey family moved to the new community of Miami Lakes and were very active at Our Lady of the Lakes, Catholic Church. After 15 years with Eastern Airlines, Bill decided it was time to retire. In 1993 Bill and Elise Morey chose to relocate from Miami Lakes to the Plantation Residential Community in Leesburg, Florida. They were very active in their new community and worshiped at Saint Paul's Catholic Church. Bill and Elsie were happily married for 60 years and following Elsie's passing in 2007, Bill has survived Elsie by eight years. Bill and Elsie Morey are survived by their three sons: William Chase Morey III (Bill) , James Garrison Morey (Garry), Kenneth Kevin Morey (Ken) and two grandchildren: Benjamin and Megan. A memorial service for Commander Morey will be scheduled at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Leesburg, Florida on January 11, 2016 and will be followed by his internment at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell, Florida. The family requests that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to Cornerstone Hospice Organization - 2445 Lane Park Road, Tavares, FL 32778 (Phone: 352-343-1341)

William C. Morey

December 12, 1922 - December 9, 2015