Carl E. Morrison, Sr., “Bill”, passed away at his home in Bradford, February 27, 2016, surrounded by his loving family. He was born in Charleston, July 9, 1921, the son of Roland C. Morrison and Esffie (Judkins) Morrison.
Bill graduated from Bradford High School in 1940. His career began at an early age. When he was 2 years old, he fired a bullet from a cork-stopper gun. When he wasn’t too pleased with the cork stoppers, he decided to use some of his father’s old ammunition from his war days. Needless to say, after many pops from his toy gun, the ammunition went off! The bullet went up, hit the ceiling, cracked the plaster, and his mother let out an ungodly scream. Unfortunately, his beloved pop gun had been destroyed.
At the age of 15, when not working the dairy farm, Bill was happy to spend time at the local sporting goods store, which dealt in a wide range of firearms. Bill convinced the store management to allow him to try and repair the guns. In short order, the guns were repaired and returned to the store, ready to be sold. Young Bill’s career began by the creation of Morrison’s Gun Shop, which lasted for 76 years.
Bill was the first person in Maine to make his own barrels. He was known all over the world for his craftsmanship. Bill wasn’t one to toot his own horn, but he was a tremendous marksman in his early days. In 1958, he headed to Camp Perry, Ohio for the annual shooting competition. He walked away with 8 medals, which was quite impressive at the time. His one and only vacation. He was instrumental in helping the police solve a 1964 double murder in Bangor. He also went to Texas to help authorities when JFK was assassinated.
Bill had a fantastic memory, even at 94. People would leave their guns to be repaired and forget about them. They would show up years later and he would know exactly where their gun was located in his vast inventory.
Bill worked for the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office in his “spare” time. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and the American Rifle Association. He truly was the “Dean of Guns”. As for retiring, he would say “They’ve got a box out there somewhere, I think.”
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Lena; a sister, Maxine; and a son in law, Ray. He is survived by his daughter, Eva Evans of East Corinth; son, Carl E. Morrison, Jr. and his wife, Kaye of Bald Knob, AR; his daughter, Gail (Morrison) Gary and her husband, Brent of Bonita Springs, FL; and Linda Morrison-Beck of Bangor; two sisters, Eunice Berube of Florida and Madeline Potter of East Corinth; a very special “Second Son”, Orlando Frati, Jr. of Bangor; 5 grandchildren, Susan Brooks, Brian Gary, Eddie Parent, Alanna Roetzel, and Ervin Morrison; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and his loyal companion, Minnie.
The family would like to thank Belinda Roberts, Brenda Theriault, Melinda Manjourea, Brian Gary, Brettanie, Sue, Anne Marie, Heidi, Morgan and Taylor from Beacon Hospice for their wonderful care of Bill. Bill had many special friends, Pete Asdot, Donnie Deluck, Timmy Moores, and Dave Hughes.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 pm, Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, where a funeral service will be held at 11 am, Friday, March 4, with the Rev. Jackson L. Williams, officiating. Private interment for the family will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Bangor. Relatives and friends are invited to share in conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Forgotten Felines of Maine, PO Box 264, Gouldsboro, ME 04607, attention Pam Hansberry. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
Bill graduated from Bradford High School in 1940. His career began at an early age. When he was 2 years old, he fired a bullet from a cork-stopper gun. When he wasn’t too pleased with the cork stoppers, he decided to use some of his father’s old ammunition from his war days. Needless to say, after many pops from his toy gun, the ammunition went off! The bullet went up, hit the ceiling, cracked the plaster, and his mother let out an ungodly scream. Unfortunately, his beloved pop gun had been destroyed.
At the age of 15, when not working the dairy farm, Bill was happy to spend time at the local sporting goods store, which dealt in a wide range of firearms. Bill convinced the store management to allow him to try and repair the guns. In short order, the guns were repaired and returned to the store, ready to be sold. Young Bill’s career began by the creation of Morrison’s Gun Shop, which lasted for 76 years.
Bill was the first person in Maine to make his own barrels. He was known all over the world for his craftsmanship. Bill wasn’t one to toot his own horn, but he was a tremendous marksman in his early days. In 1958, he headed to Camp Perry, Ohio for the annual shooting competition. He walked away with 8 medals, which was quite impressive at the time. His one and only vacation. He was instrumental in helping the police solve a 1964 double murder in Bangor. He also went to Texas to help authorities when JFK was assassinated.
Bill had a fantastic memory, even at 94. People would leave their guns to be repaired and forget about them. They would show up years later and he would know exactly where their gun was located in his vast inventory.
Bill worked for the Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office in his “spare” time. He was a lifetime member of the NRA and the American Rifle Association. He truly was the “Dean of Guns”. As for retiring, he would say “They’ve got a box out there somewhere, I think.”
Bill was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Lena; a sister, Maxine; and a son in law, Ray. He is survived by his daughter, Eva Evans of East Corinth; son, Carl E. Morrison, Jr. and his wife, Kaye of Bald Knob, AR; his daughter, Gail (Morrison) Gary and her husband, Brent of Bonita Springs, FL; and Linda Morrison-Beck of Bangor; two sisters, Eunice Berube of Florida and Madeline Potter of East Corinth; a very special “Second Son”, Orlando Frati, Jr. of Bangor; 5 grandchildren, Susan Brooks, Brian Gary, Eddie Parent, Alanna Roetzel, and Ervin Morrison; several great grandchildren and great great grandchildren; and his loyal companion, Minnie.
The family would like to thank Belinda Roberts, Brenda Theriault, Melinda Manjourea, Brian Gary, Brettanie, Sue, Anne Marie, Heidi, Morgan and Taylor from Beacon Hospice for their wonderful care of Bill. Bill had many special friends, Pete Asdot, Donnie Deluck, Timmy Moores, and Dave Hughes.
Relatives and friends are welcome to call 5-7 pm, Thursday, March 3, 2016 at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center Street, Bangor, where a funeral service will be held at 11 am, Friday, March 4, with the Rev. Jackson L. Williams, officiating. Private interment for the family will be at Maple Grove Cemetery, Bangor. Relatives and friends are invited to share in conversation and refreshments at the Family Reception Center of Brookings-Smith, 163 Center Street, Bangor, following the service. Those who wish to remember Bill in a special way may make gifts in his memory to Forgotten Felines of Maine, PO Box 264, Gouldsboro, ME 04607, attention Pam Hansberry. Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.BrookingsSmith.com.
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