GARY MORRIS obituary

BILLINGS - Gary W. "Mick" Morris, 66, of Billings died Friday, May 20, 2005, at a Billings hospital.

A memorial service will be Tuesday at 11 a.m. in the Chinook United Methodist Church.

Mick was born to Willis Morris and Beatrice (Drewniak) Morris on May 29, 1938, in Havre. He graduated from Chinook High School in 1956 and served honorably in the U.S. Navy from January 1957 to January 1961.

Mick married Betty Shelstad on May 19, 1961, in Chinook. Mick worked for Hilde Construction. In 1973, he moved to Gillette, Wyo., and founded Morris Construction with his father and brother. Mick sold the business in 1987 and retired to Chinook, his hometown, where he enjoyed many years in his beloved Bear Paw Mountains hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed playing cards with friends. In 2002 he moved to Billings to be closer to family, and enjoyed the apple of his eye, his great-grandson, Mason.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Beatrice.

Survivors include his loving wife of 44 years, Betty Morris of Billings; children, Mark (Jessica) Morris of Great Falls, Annette (Randy) Quest of Billings, Bill (Tamara) Morris of Gillette, Wyo.; father, Willis Morris of Lake Havasu City, Ariz.; siblings, Esther Shortman of Cut Bank, Bill Morris of Lake Havasu City, Ariz., and Marilyn Vukonich of Joliet; nine grandchildren; and one great-grandson.

The cornerstone of his family, Mick was a strong influence in his children's and grandchildren's lives; he loved being around his family.

Memorials may be sent to the United Methodist Church or a charity of choice.

Arrangements are by Smith Funeral Home of Billings and Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.