He was born Dec. 22, 1928, in Randolph, the son of Charles S. and Catherine "Flora" (Stender) Morrill. He attended school in Tunbridge, South Royalton and Sharon.

He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War with the 508th and 82nd Airborne divisions stationed in Fort Benning, Ga.

He married Pauline M. Billings of South Royalton on Aug. 14, 1955. They lived in South Royalton before moving to Sharon in 1959. He was employed at Earl Larkin's sawmill, Elizabeth Coppermines in New Hampshire, Pettengill Petco Oil, The Flying Horse Farm, M.H. Laipson, John Kilburn, and for the Chainchett Mountain Contractors, where he helped build bridges on Interstate 89. He was also a co-owner of Green Mountain Contractors and H&M Auto Body and Paint Shop in Sharon. He and his wife owned and operated R.F. Billings Oil in South Royalton until he retired in 1989.

He was a member of the Cascadanac Fish and Game Club in South Royalton, The Forest-Unity Chapter #82 O.E.S. in Sharon, the Sharon Lodge #105 F & A.M., National Rifle Association, and the 508th Airborne and 82nd Airborne Division Association. He was also a range officer at the Woodstock Rifle and Pistol Club in Woodstock.

He is survived by his wife of Sharon; a son, Neil Morrill of Sharon; daughters, Penny Cross of South Royalton, and Fayanne Morrill of Chelsea; sisters, Arlene Dodge and Hazel Ballou, both of South Royalton; four grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was predeceased by brothers, Richard and Max Morrill; and sisters, Irene White and Esther Potter.

There are no public calling hours. A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at the Sharon Congregational Church, with the Revs. Rebecca L. Delzell and Douglas Moore officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Sharon First Responders, c/o Bill Brackett, Fay Brook Road, Sharon, VT 05065, the South Royalton Rescue Squad, c/o Corinne Ingraham, 52 Roberts Road, South Royalton, VT 05068, or to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Drive, Lebanon, N.H. 03765.

The Boardway and Cilley Funeral Home of Chelsea is in charge of the arrangements.

(The Times Argus, Montpelier-Barre, VT, 9 Mar 2004 - courtesy of Tedd Cocker)