Wayne E. Morris

Wayne E. Morris, 88, Nevada, Mo., passed away on Monday, Feb. 21, 2011, at his home in Nevada. He was born on April 1, 1922, in Vernon County, Mo., to John D. Morris and Monta E. (Howe) Morris.

Wayne entered the Air Force in 1943 and was a second lieutenant. He was assigned to heavy bomber pilot training. He flew B-24s and did training with B-29s in Roswell, N.M. He married Maxine Geary in 1954. Wayne and Maxine lived in California where they had three children. Wayne worked in sales for insurance, automobile, and chemical companies.

After returning to Missouri in 1965, Wayne and Maxine farmed and raised livestock in Vernon County, south of Nevada, for 15 years. He subdivided lots and built homes in Ranch View Country Estates. He developed the Twin Lakes Golf Course. Before retiring, he worked as an insurance adjustor for about 10 years.

Wayne was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Emery and Lloyd; five sisters, Marie Peters, Letha McCowan, Nova Madding, Nadine Weber and Wilma Young.

He is survived by his wife, Maxine, of the home; son, Geary Morris, of Tucson, Ariz.; and daughters, Monta Morris (David Holt) of Kansas City, Mo., and Deanna Conway (Mike) of Nevada. He was the proud grandfather of seven, Kyle Wayne Morris of San Diego, Calif., Audrey Conway Schlessman (Jordan) of Purdy, Mo., Reed Morris of Tucson, Ariz., Nick Conway of Kansas City, Mo., and Maggie, Emily and Katie Holt of Kansas City, Mo.; sisters-in-law, Jean Geary Jones and Pat Geary Griffith, of Nevada; one brother-in-law, Nick Geary (Kathy) of Orlando, Fla.; and many nephews and nieces.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 23, at Newton Burial Park, Nevada, with the Rev. Hubert Fox officiating. Friends may call now and until 1:30 p.m., Wednesday, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada. Interment will follow in Newton Burial Park, Nevada.

Those who wish may contribute in his memory to the American Red Cross or the Salvation Army c/o Ferry Funeral Home, 301 S. Washington, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences on line at www.ferryfuneralhome.com