Willard Hilton Morrow

Willlard Morrow passed away on May 20th, 2022 in Redding Ca at the age of 92. Willard was born in Sobol Oklahoma in 1929 to his parents William and Tulah Morrow. After growing up in Oklahoma he joined the US Military at the age of 21 where he served in the Air Force during the Korean War. After getting out of the military he started a family and moved to Siskiyou County in 1962 where he resided in the Mt Shasta and Weed areas for several years. He and his family left the area and moved to Humboldt County where they resided in Arcata for a few years before moving back to Siskiyou County in 1968. Though Willard spent some time working for the Railroad, he was a logger by trade. He worked for several different logging outfits over the span of his career that began in the 1950's. Willard was known by his co-workers to be a skilled heavy equipment operator who could operate any piece of heavy machinery. Upon returning to Siskiyou County in 1968 he continued his career in the logging industry where he worked for International Paper (IP) in Weed Ca. During his many years at IP he held different assignments including being a heavy equipment operator and a welder. Willard eventually took a job with Roseburg Forest Products where he finally retired in 1993. At the time of his retirement he held the position of Lead Operator in the log yard. A past co-worker described him as having a work ethic second to none, and one who was a skilled leader. He was also known to be a fair and honest man who had the respect of his men. During his youth in Oklahoma Willard worked in the fields picking cotton. Little did he know that this would earn him the nickname "Cottonpicker" which stayed with him throughout his life. The story goes that when Willard was working as a truck driver for a logging outfit in the 1950's he was on a landing where another co-worker was filling out a "ticket" for his load. That co-worker knew that Willard picked cotton in Oklahoma during his youth. Rather than writing Willard's name on the load ticket he wrote "Cottonpicker." Not only did the nickname stick throughout his career but family and friends started referring to him by that name. A prior co-worker at Roseburg Forest Products remembers Willard's radio name being "Cottonpicker." During those days it was not uncommon for co-workers to reach him on the radio by asking for "Cottonpicker." Willard had a few hobbies that he enjoyed including bowling and playing pool. He was often in bowling leagues in the Weed area where he enjoyed competing in the sport. Willard also enjoyed playing pool and participating in wagers during the game that often left him winning and walking away with other people's money. In his post retirement years Willard was often seen walking the streets of downtown Weed where he would stop at the local businesses to talk with the ladies in town. He was described by family and friends as one who loved life, one who was always good for a laugh, and one who was the life of the party. Willard had seven children; Kathy Morrow, Willy Morrow, Coy Morrow, Becky Combs, Loretta Morrow, Shane Stephens and Jackie Allen. At the time of his death Willard had 16 grandchildren, 26 great grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Willard was predeceased by his son Willy Morrow, by his two grandchildren, Tyler Morrow and Paige Wright, and by his siblings Ealline Carter, Dearl Morrow, and Christine Kinder. He is survived by his siblings, Lavern Shandrew, Ellen Petty, and Billy Morrow as well as his children, Kathy, Coy, Becky, Loretta, Shane and Jackie, and their children and grandchildren. The memorial service for Willard will be held at the Winema Cemetery in Weed Ca located at 22 California St on Sunday, June 5th, 2022 at 12:00pm. Immediately following the graveside service there will be a Celebration of Life get together at the Weed Community Center located at 161 E. Lincoln Ave. The family would like to send a special thanks to the staff at Touch of Heaven in Redding Ca who loved and cared for Willard in his final vulnerable months.

Willard Hilton Morrow

August 12, 1929 - May 20, 2022