Morris Birkhead

Name: Visitation
Start: 03/07/2024 11:00 AM
End: 03/07/2024 12:00 PM
Location: Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home

July 27, 1923 — February 28, 2024

DECATUR — Morris Lee Birkhead, 100, of Decatur, IL, celebrates his first Eternal Birthday this 28th day of February 2024. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DAD!!

Celebrating with and greeting Morris are his Savior, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and his wife, Wilma Jeanine (Wallingford) Birkhead who celebrated her first Eternal Birthday on February 25th, 2010.

Services to celebrate Morris’s Eternal Birthday (here on earth) will be held on Thursday March 7, 2024, at 12:00 PM at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur, with visitation one hour prior to service time. A private graveside service will be held at Graceland Cemetery, Decatur. Memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans and/or Central Christian Church at 650 W William Street, Decatur, IL, 62522.

Morris was born to Zae Paul and Eva Mae Birkhead on July 27, 1923. At age 19 (1942) Morris enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) and ultimately served as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAAF as a Flight Engineer on a B-29 Superfortress; one of a crew of 11. Morris was discharged from the USAAF officially in 1957.

After WWII ended in 1945, Morris moved back to his hometown, Decatur, and began working at the A. E. Staley Mfr. Co. and ultimately was pursued by and married the love of his life (Wilma aka “Willie” or “Butch”) on June 6th, 1948. Two children were born to Morris and Wilma; Cheryl of Charleston, IL and Debra of Normal, IL. Both survive. Also surviving are Morris’s niece, Cindy (Gary) Davis of St. Elmo, IL and Nephew, Roger Noll of Denver, CO.

Morris always loved building model airplanes, golfing and caring for his beloved family and beautiful home in Decatur which he and his wife built from scratch. Morris was always a talented and willing “silent partner” for many of his wife’s craft projects as well.

Prior to his departure, Morris thrived at The Villas of Holly Brook (Towanda Barnes Rd.) in East Bloomington, IL. where he was treated like “royalty” by all staff. VOHB was his second family; he enjoyed them thoroughly and teased them regularly just to make sure they knew how much he loved each and every one of them. Thank you, Villas of Holly Brook Staff for all of your loving care.

We’ll be seein’ ya soon, Dad!

“The day thou fearest as thy last is but the birthday of Eternity.”

~Seneca~

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