It is with great sadness that the Greene County Sheriff’s Office announces the passing of Former Sheriff William L. Morris.
William L. Morris died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound on January 28, 2010 at 5:01pm, at the University of Virginia Hospital.
Morris was discovered near his home just before noon, and authorities believe it was Morris who activated a panic alarm, which summoned deputies to his property, Maj. Randall Snead of the Sheriff’s Office said.
It was discovered that Morris was dealing with an illness called tinnitus, which had been bothering him since September of 2009. He had since that time lost approximately 50lbs and was complaining of not being able to sleep or eat.
A letter later found through the investigation confirmed that it was indeed the tinnitus that was so bothersome to him, that he choose to take his life, rather than be a burden to anyone.
“Obviously, it’s not a good day for anyone who knew or cared for the former Sheriff,” Snead said.
The Former Greene County Sheriff, was a larger-than-life figure in local law enforcement for two decades, as he served the County of Greene from January1, 1984- to his retirement December 31, 2003.
Morris was a well-known and colorful Greene County character, known throughout the region for his ruthless enforcement of traffic laws on US 29 & US 33.
A fitness club owner and champion weightlifter, Morris rode a wave of anti-incumbent sentiment into office in 1983. He drew national attention the next year when he held a bake sale for money to investigate drug cases after his office got what he considered inadequate funding.
Over the years, he held more bake sales for other purposes, including new radios.
In 1991, Morris was nearly paralyzed after being hit with buckshot as he escorted a woman back to her home after a domestic dispute.
He also once held a convicted felon in his home for two hours because the nearby jails were full. The prisoner sat in an easy chair, watched TV and dined on baked chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and chocolate mousse pie.
Sheriff Haas, who took over after Morris retired in 2003, served as Morris’ chief deputy.
“He really and truly did care about what went on in the county and about the people there and I think most people do not understand what a soft spot he had in his heart when people were victims or a crime had happened,” Haas said.
He added, “He did a lot of things quietly, checking on the elderly or people that had problems, and he would check on them and nothing was ever said, or he didn’t make it public.”
Morris was sheriff “at a time when there was rapid growth in the county, and he tackled drugs head on,” Haas said.
Albemarle County Sheriff J.E. “Chip” Harding worked alongside Morris as they lobbied to use seized drug proceeds for law enforcement, he said.
The two also worked several cases together, Harding said.
“Everybody probably has a Willie Morris story, because he was a very colorful individual,” Harding said.
He recalled a time in 1992 when he and Morris were hidden under a trailer, watching a nearby house to see if the suspected leader of a drug ring would show up. But then Morris started in with his stories.
“He started cracking me up so bad I thought somebody was going to hear us laughing before we could bring the case to fruition,” Harding said.
The former Sheriff William Morris leaves behind a mother, daughter, son and grandson. “It is without a doubt that he will be tremendously missed by many”, Snead said.