Bill Morris (Tennessee politician)
Bill Morris | |
|---|---|
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| Sheriff of Shelby County | |
| In office 1964–1970 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | William Noel Morris September 29, 1932 Fulton, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Died | July 25, 2025 (aged 92) Memphis, Tennessee, U.S. |
William Noel Morris (September 29, 1932 – July 25, 2025), known as Bill Morris, was an American politician in Tennessee who served as mayor of Shelby County, including the city of Memphis. He also was a sheriff of the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.[1] He was the president of the Tennessee County Services Association, an organization of county officials.[2]
Life and career
[edit]Morris was born on September 29, 1932.[3] A friend of Elvis Presley,[4] he served as the sheriff of Shelby County from 1964 to 1970. During his tenure as sheriff, Morris was in charge of the custody of assassin James Earl Ray. While in custody Ray admitted to the 1968 murder of civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.[1] However, Ray later claimed he had been coerced into pleading guilty.[5]
Morris was Mayor of Shelby County from 1978 to 1994. Morris was instrumental, along with park superintendent Tom Hill, in introducing a herd of bison to Shelby Farms.[6]
In 1994, Morris campaigned for the Democratic nomination for Governor of Tennessee, placing second in the race to Phil Bredesen.
Tennessee State Route 385 in Shelby County, which was originally known as Nonconnah Parkway, was renamed as Bill Morris Parkway.
Morris died on July 25, 2025, at the age of 92.[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b [1] (Accessed October 27, 2009)[dead link]
- ^ "25 years ago 1983". Commercial Appeal. November 12, 2008. Retrieved October 27, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Times, TERESA BLAKE Itawamba County. "A rich life without riches". Daily Journal. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
- ^ Nolasco, Stephanie (May 20, 2019). "Elvis Presley's pal recalls last time he saw The King: 'Everybody had tears in their eyes'". Fox News. Retrieved July 27, 2025.
- ^ Perrusquia, Marc; Waters, David (April 24, 1998). "King's assassin, Ray, dies". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved October 27, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Charlier, Tom (February 1, 2009). "Oh, give me a home ... where new buffalo roam at Shelby Farms to improve bloodline". Commercial Appeal. Retrieved October 27, 2009.[dead link]
- ^ Coombs, Lydian (July 25, 2025). "Former Shelby Co. Mayor William Morris dies at 92". ActionNews5.com. Retrieved July 26, 2025.
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