William L. Morton

William Lee Morton was born on April 30, 1926 to the late Lawrence Lee Morton and Mary Pierce Morton in Baltimore, Maryland and was the first grandson born to the late William Lee Morton and Lucy Morton. Bill, as he preferred to be called, attended primary schools in Baltimore City. Always an achiever, Bill graduated from Frederick Douglass High School with honors at age 16. Family was important to Bill. He met and married the late Constance King and from that union was born a son, William Ronald Morton. In September, 1947, Bill married Elizabeth Anne Burroughs and from this union, three children were born: Adrienne Maria, Alexis Maria, and Edward Aaron. Bill loved his family and worked tirelessly to provide for and set an example for them. Bill felt that “the family that prays together, stays together.” One of his favorite things to instill in his children and grandchildren --who affectionately called him “Pop Pop” -- was “plan your work and work your plan.” For many years, the center of Bill’s family life was the home he and Elizabeth shared on Liberty Heights Avenue. Hosting many pool parties or club meeting, Bill enjoyed opening his home to others and entertaining. Bill’s spiritual life was grounded in the Christian faith. At an early age, Bill joined First Baptist Church, where his family before him had worshipped for generations. Baptized at age seven, Bill was an active, lifelong member of the church -- beginning with the Youth Choir, moving to the Trustee Board, and selected for the Deacon Board. Bill also served as Church Treasurer and was honored by First Baptist Church many times over the years for his service and dedication. Bill’s work life was one of the things for which he was most known and most proud and rightfully so: the history of the Mortons and moving is a rich one. Around 1914, Bill’s grandfather started what would later become William Morton and Sons moving company. With a horse and wagon, he began moving old furniture, trash and just about anything from people’s homes. Seeing the necessity of a wagon, Bill’s grandfather eventually saved enough money to buy an old, used truck and moved his enterprise downtown to the auction houses. When people would buy items at the auction houses, “Morton, the Mover” would ask to move or haul them to their homes or stores. With seven sons, Bill’s grandfather, utilized all of them in the business, including Bill’s father, Lawrence. After restructuring the partnership between sons and renaming his Druid Hill Avenue business Lawrence Morton Express in 1936, Bill’s father taught young Bill and his brother, Lawrence, Jr. the business of moving: how to handle antiques, the science of moving pianos and other difficult pieces, and the value of politeness. Although Bill’s father often said that Bill and Lawrence Jr., “played” while “Lawrence Sr. “did all the work,” in his years working the family business Bill was instrumental in expanding its reach and making its reputation well known throughout Baltimore City. In the 1960s and 1970s, Lawrence Morton Express and its fleet of teal trucks was regularly selected for minority contracting opportunities with the City of Baltimore and cultivated relationships with the Jewish community, auction houses, and private retail businesses throughout the city because of Bill. Lawrence Morton Express was well known for its efficiency, customer service, and ability to master difficult moving jobs that others could not. Bill and his brother, Lawrence Jr. kept the business going until July 15, 2001, retiring to beautiful and wonderful memories of both the family and the family business. Bill was equally proud of being raised as a Master Mason in the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Maryland in 1949. He was elevated to the Supreme Counsel to the 33 Mason in 1958. During that period, he became a Knights Templar, Shriner and Member of Jerusalem Temple No. 4, and Member of Hiram Consistory #2. Bill was the Worshipful Master of Enterprise Lodge No. 3 for six years and Deputy Grand Master, 1st Masonic District. Bill was appointed Committee Chairman of Foreign Correspondence by Grandmaster Sam T. Daniels, a job he loved and kept for thirty-six years. Here, it was Bill’s job to communicate with all of the Grand Lodges in the country and exchange information about new procedures, practices, and meetings. In this position, Bill played an integral role in vetting anyone who wanted to associate or demit from another jurisdiction. Bill was fortunate to fly to Europe several times to monitor the Masonic Jurisdictions there and was also a Member of the Order of Eastern Star. In 2015, the Bill was recognized at the Master Mason Ball with a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2017, the Grand Lodge bestowed upon him Past Grand Master Honors. Anyone who knew Bill, knew that he loved to travel. He and Bettye were known for their European trips and tropical destination cruises (sometimes two in one year); but they were also known to try their luck in Atlantic City once they retired. Bill enjoyed playing poker and did so regularly for many years with his friends, often hosting card parties. Through the years, Bill and Bettye were often invited guests at socialite events and dances, and were well known for their elegance and gliding across the dance floor. Bill believed in serving his community and encouraged his family to do the same. Practicing what he preached, Bill remain involved in his high school class reunion and scholarship committee for several years, was involved in the effort to fundraise and revitalize the Druid Hill Avenue YMCA, served on the Board of Directors and as President of the Owners’ Association at The Elmont, and was a member of the O’Nose social club. Bill was known for having a big personality, a pleasant smile, a joke to tell. He had big dreams, was ambitious, and did what his mind set out to do. Yet, Bill was willing to help people however he could. Bill lived a full life, loved the Lord, and was committed to and extraordinarily supportive his family. Despite such heights, Bill experienced great loss when those he loved dearly -- his sons, Billy and Aaron, and his sister, Dr. Delores Morton-Spriggs -- passed away in recent years. The memory of Bill will be cherished by his devoted wife of 71 years, Elizabeth; daughters, Adrienne Morton Savage and Alexis Morton; sister, Dr. Grace Dixon; brothers, Lawrence Morton, Jr., Larry Morton, and Lee Morton; grandchildren, Tonya M. Austin, Keir Morton-Manley, D’Edward Aaron Morton, Darick Morton, Dawn Morton, and Juaacklynn Woodson; sisters-in-law, Delores Morton, Juanita Morton, and Shirley Morton; greatgrandchildren, Niles Ford, Ayanna Austin, Delondre Morton, Sanaa Manley, Kine’ Manley, Roland Morton, Benjamin Coleman, and Joshua Coleman; as well as a close family friends, nieces and nephews, and other relatives.

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William L. Morton

April 30, 1926 - February 22, 2019