July 25, 1948 - Dec. 29, 2014
William “Bill” Emery Morrison, Jr. 66 of Valmy, NV passed away in the early hours of December 29, 2014 in the arms of his wife Gayle, succumbing to heart failure. Bill was born on July 25, 1948, in Sacramento, CA to Ruth Morrison and the late William Morrison Sr. He graduated from Carson City High School in 1966, and attended the University of Nevada, Reno until he entered the Army National Guard as a medic with his brother David. He started his career with Safeway in 1965 as a store clerk and became a store manager in 1976 until he left in 1979 to begin the Fernley Fence Company with his partner. While in Fernley, Bill was involved with the community serving on the Town Board, and as head coach for the Fernley Angels little league team. In 1983, Bill and Gayle moved to Grandview, Idaho to begin a ranching partnership with Gayle’s parents. Bill loved the life of ranching, being a cowboy, and all it entailed. This partnership would last 20 years, as it developed into other business ventures, and eventually the purchase of Valmy, NV. In 1985, Bill and Gayle moved to Fallon, NV where they purchased the Jackpot mini markets in Fallon and Lovelock, NV. After several years running the mini markets, Bill was intrigued by the idea of buying a small town in Northern Nevada, when in 1994 the partnership purchased the town of Valmy. Bill became fire chief for the Valmy Volunteer Fire Department, and spent the next two decades working alongside Gayle in Valmy enjoying the Northern Nevada majestic beauty. He had a passion for NASCAR, hunting, fishing, four wheeling in his side-by-sides and other vehicles, but especially his Polaris RZR, and of course grilling steaks on the back porch drinking his VO & water with a twist. Throughout his years, Bill was known for his kind heart, his unyielding work ethic, generosity to others and infectious smile. He lived his life well, developed many long lasting friendships and touched numerous lives along the way. He will forever be in our hearts. Since he was the John Wayne to his family and friends in the Nevada desert he loved so much, as he used to say, “Well good luck Pilgrim.” He leaves to cherish his memory: his wife of 44 years, Gayle; mother, Ruth; brother, David (Laura); niece Nikki Taylor Avansino (Raymond); nephew Josh Taylor; brother-in-law, Rod Taylor; sister-in-law, Ginny Taylor; longtime friends Lyman and Charlotte Harman, and a host of other relatives and close friends. His incredible spirit, joy, and talents will be celebrated on Saturday January 17th at The Hide-A-Way Steakhouse, 872 S. Broad Street in Battle Mountain, NV at 2pm.
