William Morris

William Morris grew up in the small town of Otsego, Michigan. Did what kids did in the 50s and 60s—played, mowed lawns, shoveled snow, rode his bike, played baseball and football, and an occasional high stakes game of marbles. He attended the First Methodist Church of Otsego with his parents and brother, and all under the careful eye of his grandmother McKee who lived two doors down from the family home. Bill tolerated school, played in the band (percussion), played on the basketball team and golf team. Graduated in 1969 just about dead center in his class. Got his army physical for Vietnam, his draft number was called, but the county filled its quota before they got to his letter “M.”

Bill went to Adrian College for about a week, attended Western Michigan University for a couple of years, but was always more interested in and better at writing stories than doing homework. Worked in the retail grocery business, was mercifully fired before it became a habit.

Tried a number of odd things before sensing a call and entered Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan, where he received his Master of Divinity Degree and was ordained into the Reformed Church in America denomination. Began in urban ministry in Kalamazoo, which is when he wrote his first Potowasso story, A Christmas Blessing. With funds for urban ministry dwindling, he went to suburban ministry, wrote more stories and had Advent season programs where he would read one. He ministered in the suburb until he got a promotion to painting exterior buildings for a cement company. Got a break and went to rural ministry in Northern Michigan, wrote more and began a monthly programs called “Second Saturday at Moddersville, where new stories every month were written and told, guest music groups (usually country or bluegrass)—a clear imitation of Prairie Home Companion. In 2000, he came to upstate New York, to a great little village called Clarksville (no trains going or coming), where he still currently lives and serves as a pastor with his wife, Susan. They also have a cabin in the Adirondacks that is accessible by boat or barge.