Morgan, William A. Jr., of Concord, MA, formerly of Sudbury, passed away at the age of 84 on Saturday, January 19 of complications due to cancer. He was at home, surrounded by his family and holding the hand of his wife of 60 years, Dorothy G. (Schlamann) Morgan. William (Bill) had a life filled with many life-long friends, fellowship with Methodist communities of faith, world travel, and community service through his Shrine and Masonic memberships.
Bill grew up in Hawley, PA, enjoying academics, all sports (especially football and baseball), lunches with his Grandmother and the root beer she made for him, and participation in youth church group activities. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he pledged and joined the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, played Ivy League football, and earned a Bachelor's Degree in Biology in 1950. Shortly after graduation, his planned continued studies for a medical degree were postponed for the Korean Conflict and service in the United States Air Force, first at Keesler AFB, MS and then at Ellsworth AFB, SD. During his time at Ellsworth,Bill met and married Dorothy, in 1952. His Air Force career as a combat aircrew electronic countermeasures officer had cultivated an interest in avionics and electrical systems, which led Bill to Purdue University and culminated with a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1956.
Employment as an electrical engineer brought Bill and Dorothy to Massachusetts, where Bill began his 37-year career with the Raytheon Company. He designed power supplies for the first microwave ovens and then moved into the radar systems group in Wayland, MA. Bill and Dorothy moved into their house in Sudbury in 1961, already members of the Sudbury United Methodist Church. Bill's next career move was to the Missile Systems Division of Raytheon, in Bedford, MA, where he worked on the Hawk program. It was as the Hawk Program Manager that Bill travelled to many countries and he and Dorothy lived in both Egypt and Kuwait.
Upon retirement from Raytheon, Bill and Dorothy headed south to Florida in 1995, buying a home in the Weeki Wachee development of Glen Lakes. They joined the Mariner United Methodist Church and made many more dear friends. It was here that Bill finished his Masonic degrees and became very active in the local Shrine and its many worthy causes. After 17 years in Florida, Bill and Dorothy decided on a second retirement to New England, to be nearer to children and grandchildren.
Throughout his life, there were two things of primary importance in Bill's life—his family and his faith. He and Dorothy enjoyed volunteer work, travel, family vacations, and playing Bridge. For his three children, he coached both Little League and softball teams, taught Sunday School, and with them enjoyed going to Red Sox games. Coaching and watching his five grandsons play sports was another joy. During retirement, Bill began teaching bible history classes, during which he could share his love of scripture and ancient history.
He is survived by his wife Dorothy; daughter Susan J. M. Cabler and her husband Hank of Annandale, VA; son William T. Morgan and his wife Donna Pond of Gardner, MA; daughter Sarah A. M. Taylor and her husband Rev. Herb B. Taylor, of Concord, MA; grandsons Adam J. Pond, Benjamin A. Taylor, William O. and Dillon T. Morgan, and Blaine M. Taylor; and sister Ann R. Morgan of Hawley, PA.
In lieu of flowers donations maybe made to:
The Mariner United Methodist Church Endowment Fund
7079 Mariner Blvd
Spring Hill, FL 34609
www.marinerumc.org
or
New England Deaconess Assoc.
Duvall Chapel Fund,
80 Deaconess Rd.
Concord, MA 01742
www.nedeaconess.com
Arrangements under the care of Glenn D. Burlamachi, CONCORD FUNERAL HOME, Concord.
Proud to be family owned, operated and occupied since 1936.