Dale A. “Bing” Morris

Dale A. “Bing” Morris, 71, died at 3:10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2003. A patient in the Veterans Administration Hospital since last Friday, Bing had been in failing health for the past several years. A lifetime Plymouth resident, he lived at 1034 Ed Cook Blvd., and had enjoyed spending some winters in Punta Gorda, Fla.

Bing was born in Plymouth on February 21, 1932, the son of Charles C. “Chet,” and Luella C. Sykes Morris. He was nicknamed “Bing” by his father because he could sing like Bing Crosby, a family favorite.

He graduated from Plymouth High School with the class of 1951. He was in choir and was the first of three generations to play varsity football.

A United States Navy veteran, Bing spent two years in the Navy, serving during the Korean War.

On June 6, 1954, in Plymouth, he married Joyce E. McCan who survives.

Self-employed, Bing owned and operated Bing’s Electric Company for over 30 years.

Possessed of a powerful bass/baritone voice, Bing sang solos and with choral groups, community and church choirs in Plymouth and in Florida with a Barber Shop Quartet.

He enjoyed the races at the Plymouth Motor Speedway. A 32 Degree Mason, he was a member of the Plymouth Kilwinning Masonic Lodge and the Scottish Rite, Valley of St. Joe. He was also a past member of the Moose Lodge #741 and the American Legion Post 27.

A member of the First United Church of Christ, he previously had attended Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church.

Family was important to Bing. He enjoyed camping at Yogi Bear and was a faithful attendee at his children and grandchildren’s school activities and sporting events.

Bing is survived by two daughters, two sons, nine grandchildren and one great-grandson. His daughters are Valna R. and Norman Stettler, Plymouth and their children, Julie M, of Cary, Ill. and Angela M., Plymouth; Jeannette E. and Derek Wilder and children, Kylene R., Courtney R. and Connor M. Wilder, Pendleton, Ind.

His sons and their families are: Lynn Morris and his fiancée, Jeanette Pearson, his daughter Brandi N. Morris and great-grandson, Trey A.; and Joseph W. and Laurie Morris and their children: Adam J., Alexander J. and Hayley A., all of Plymouth. A sister, Maxine Gall, Warsaw, and two brothers, Richard Morris, Rochester, and Robert Morris, Plymouth, also survive, together with several nieces and nephews.

Bing was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Donald G. Morris.

Visitation with the family will be from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 11, 2003, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth. Masonic Rites will be held at 8 p.m.

Funeral services for Bing will be at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, September 12, 2003, in the funeral home. The Rev. James A. Irwin, pastor of the Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church, will officiate.

Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth where military honors will be accorded Bing by the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marshall County Post 1162.

Memorials in Bing’s memory may be made to the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation Inc., 95 Pine St. 16th Floor, New York, NY 10005, Plymouth High School Athletic Department, church or the donor’s choice.