Bill was born William Joseph Morley on January 24, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA. His parents were Anna Lillian (Angelitis) Morley and William Morley. He passed away on February 8, 2020.

Bill grew up in South Philadelphia and then later in West Philadelphia. He attended St. Thomas More High School and joined the Air Force in 1957. Bill served four years in the Air Force and it was at that time he met his future wife, Patricia Giersch. They were married in 1962 and moved to Philadelphia.

Bill worked in the office of Chilton Publishing Company until 1965, when he went back to school on the GI Bill. He attended Temple University, Spartan School of Aeronautics in Oklahoma and Kansas Technical College in Salina, Kansas. Bill also earned another AS Degree at Hancock College in California. With an aeronautics degree, Bill obtained a job at Martin-Marietta in Littleton, Colorado and moved there. The family also moved, which now included Adam, Matthew, and Theresa Morley, and spent the next seven years enjoying the Colorado experience. Bill worked for Martin Co. as an aerospace engineer for 24 years, and was transferred in his job many times. He lived in Denver, Santa Maria, CA, the Washington DC area and Atlanta, Georgia. He also worked temporarily at the Kennedy Space Center and Ottawa, Canada.

Bill was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying bicycling, hiking, playing tennis, coaching soccer games, and backpacking. He hiked the North Rim of the Grand Canyon at age 40 and bicycled the Pacific Coast Highway from San Jose to San Luis Obispo, CA. Bill also was a licensed pilot and had a plane named affectionately, BOB (bucket of bolts).

Bill and Pat were able to visit many places in the US after retirement and thoroughly enjoyed cruises, Hawaii, Alaska, helicopter rides, the National Parks, and Key West, Florida, among others. Bills most favorite place in the US was Point Sal, off the central coast of California.

Also, after retirement, Bill was actively involved in volunteer work with the Red Cross and Santa Barbara County Search and Rescue. He was a Reading volunteer at the local elementary school and a driver for Meals on Wheels.

Bill was happiest when playing with his children in the snow of Colorado, coaching soccer, and being a tourist with them. He was an avid reader of books, had a great sense of humor, and enjoyed trivia.

Bill is survived by his Wife, Pat; Son, Adam Morley (wife, Dominique) of San Luis Obispo, CA; Son, Matthew Morley of Columbus, IN; Daughter Theresa Morley of Littleton, CO; grandchildren Madison, Cole, and Jake Morley of San Luis Obispo, CA.

Bill is also survived by his brother, James Morley and wife, Ellen, of Seattle, WA; sisters-in-law, Shirley Hoover and Sandy Giersch of Kansas City. Additionally he is survived by numerous nieces and nephews. Bill was preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law, Bill Giersch, Lyle Giersch, and Gary Hoover, and also sisters-in-law Donna Giersch Valentine, and Mary Lou Giersch.

A Rosary will be held on Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 11:30AM followed by a Memorial Mass at 12:00PM at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, Overland Park, KS.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Hospital for Children, Holy Spirit Grade School Guardian Angel Program 11300 W. 103rd St., Overland Park, KS 66214, or Sisters of St. Joseph 1200 Washington St., Concordia, KS 66901.




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