James Morris

JAMES ALLEN MORRIS, 85, of Arcola, IL passed away at 3:10 A.M. on Wednesday, August 21, 2013 at the Arthur Home.

Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, August 24, 2013 at the Edwards Funeral Home, 221 East Main in Arcola, IL. Rev. Jess Adams will officiate. Burial will be in the Arcola Cemetery. Visitation will be one hour prior to the funeral at the funeral home.

Jim was born on September 17, 1927 in Kankakee, IL. He was a son of Jesse S. and Chlotide (Wampler) Morris. He married Judith Webb on December 19, 1945 in Arcola, IL. She passed away on March 27, 2006.

He is survived by three daughters, Lee Ann Waugh of Tuscola, IL, Linda Thompson and her husband Whitey and Pamela Jane Shoemake and her husband Dale all of Arcola, IL; eight grandchildren, Kim Cash, Julie Thompson, Casey Jones, Darin Burgess, Brian Shoemake, Tiffany Drake, Greg Whightsil and Kevin Whightsil; twelve great-grandchildren, Ashleigh Bennet, Shonda Jones, Shanna Jones, Cody Allen Whightsil, Deidra Marie Whightsil, Kylie Jo Whightsil, Faith Lyn Whightsil, Hope Elizabeth Whightsil, Peyton Burgess, Gracie Burgess, and Brody and Hunter Drake and one great-great-grandson, Jude Bennet.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two daughters, Carole Kay Burgess and Beverly Jo Dodd, one granddaughter, Rhonda Kay Burgess, one sister Florence Morris and one brother Jesse Wilmer “Bill” Morris.

Jim was a member of the Arcola Free Methodist Church.

Jim farmed all his life in and around the Arcola area.

Jim taught himself to play guitar by ear, this is something he would enjoy for the rest his life. He played music for well over 60 years. Several years ago Jim played in the String Busters Band, playing the guitar and singing. Later he started his own band; The Jim Morris Combo and most recently he played with the Moonlighters.

Memorials may be made to the Arthur Home.