Billy Morrison

CHICKAMAUGA Billy Douglas "Cotton" Morrison, 78, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2013 from natural causes at his home.A life-long resident of Walker County, he was born Nov. 18, 1934 in Chickamauga, Ga., the son of the late James Lorence Morrison and Emma Abraham Morrison. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings, Bennie Robert Morrison, Mabel Morrison Matthews, Mayo Morrison Taylor, James L. Morrison and Roy L. Morrison. Known as Cotton to his friends and family, he was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church for over 45 years, where he served as a Sunday School teacher, Deacon and Trustee. Known for his love of people, golf, boating and fishing, Cotton was a 1953 graduate of Gordon Lee Memorial High School. He served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1960, acquiring the rank of Specialist 4th Class. In 1987, he retired after 31 years of work as an electrician through I.B.E.W. Local #175. In the 1960s, Cotton was a Boy Scout leader for the Explorers group in Chickamauga. He was a charter member and past president of the Mended Hearts Association, Chattanooga Chapter, as well as a past member, secretary and vice president of the Chickamauga Lions Club. For 10 years, he served as chairman of the annual golf tournament sponsored by the Gordon Lee Memorial High School Alumni Association. In 1999, he and his wife were awarded the Roy Gilstrap Alumni Support Award as Distinguished Alumnus from the Gordon Lee Memorial High School Alumni Association for their years of service to the school. Survivors include, his loving wife of 58 years, Claudette Johnson Morrison; daughter and son-in-law, Amelia (Jim) Morrison Hipps, of Lebanon, Tenn.; and several nieces. The family will greet well-wishers from Noon to 2 p.m. at Wilson Funeral Homes - Chickamauga Chapel. Graveside services will be at 3 p.m. today, at Mount Pleasant Cemetery at the Morrison Family Plot in Ascalon, Ga., on Lookout Mountain with Dr. Warren Moorhead officiating. Pallbearers will be Darren Caldwell, Trey Deck, Don Howard, Ronnie Johnson, LeRoy Matthews, Roy Parrish Jr., Marvin Shelley and David Wood. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to your favorite charity. Arrangements by Wilson Funeral Homes - Chickamauga Chapel, Chickamauga, Georgia. Online register book at www.wilsonfuneralhome.com