Achillias “Bud” Morris, Jr.

Achillias “Bud” Morris, Jr., 90, of Valdese, NC passed away suddenly on Sunday, January 8, 2017.  Born in Lynchburg, VA on April 9, 1926, he was the son of the late Achillias and Mattie Campbell Morris.

Bud bravely served in WWII on the US Navy destroyer, Richard Leary.  He also served with the navy during the Korean War.  In 1951 he married Peggy Hager Morris while on leave in Virginia.  In 1974 he moved to Valdese with his wife and daughter and worked for Great Lakes Carbon.

Bud was a great lover of nature and the Blue Ridge Mountains.  He enjoyed reminiscing about his boyhood in Virginia and his exploits in the navy with his brother-in-law, Jack.  Fishing, botany, and tinkering were his other pastimes.

Bud is survived by his wife, Effie “Peggy” Hager Morris of the home; a daughter, Theresa Marie Morris Stewart and husband, Donald, of Buffalo Grove, IL; grandchildren, Sharifa Marie Abubaker, Andrew Stewart, and Ian Daniel Stewart, all of Illinois; and numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

In addition to his parents, Bud was preceded in death by a sister, Dorothy Morris Howard.

The family will receive friends from 11am to 12pm, Thursday, January 12, 2017 at Sossoman Funeral Home and Crematory Center.  The funeral will be held at 12pm in the Colonial Chapel of the funeral home (1011 South Sterling Street, Morganton) with the Rev. Bill Holland officiating.  Burial will follow in Burke Memorial Park with military honors provided by the U.S. Navy and the Caldwell County Veterans Honor Guard.