William C Morris

William Charles Morris, age 84, of New York City, passed away at home on February 25, 2023, in the company of family. Bill, as he was known to his friends, family, and colleagues, was born in 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri, and grew up in Orange, Texas. After graduating from the Asheville School, Bill earned a bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a master’s degree, with distinction, from the Harvard Business School.

Following Harvard, Bill served as an officer in the US Coast Guard Reserve before working at Lehman Brothers from 1967 until its acquisition by American Express in 1984. At the time of the acquisition, he was a Managing Director, a member of the Board of Directors, and a member of the Executive Committee. He subsequently served as founder and Chairman of the Board of CARBO Ceramics, Inc., and as majority shareholder and Chairman of the Board of J&W Seligman & Co. Incorporated. Most recently, Bill founded Cove Point Holdings, LLC, which owns Clysar, LLC, the second largest domestic producer of polyolefin shrink film, and Gulf Coast Supply and Manufacturing, LLC, a regional producer and distributor of metal roofing.

In addition to his myriad corporate roles, Bill also served as a director or trustee of many non-profits, most notably at the Metropolitan Opera, where he served as President and Chief Executive Officer from 2003-2011. He was also Chairman of its Executive Committee for a total of twelve years, until his retirement in 2021.

Bill’s interests were wide-ranging, and his curiosity was endless. His passions included opera, birdwatching, history, wine, fishing, hunting, and aviation. Upon first acquiring a personal computer, he taught himself programming and created an early video game. He later created customized programs for wine collecting and flight planning, among many others. His humor, intellect, and deep knowledge of many topics made him a cherished and valued member of every group and in every situation. He leaves behind him a legacy of individuals who have benefitted from his friendship and guidance.

Bill is survived by his wife of 61 years, Susan Van Avery Follett Morris, and his three sons, Edward, David, and Kenneth Morris as well as 5 grandchildren, his sister Nancy Gross, and many nephews and nieces. His ashes will be spread near his summer home of nearly 50 years at Quonochontaug Pond in Charlestown, RI. A memorial service will be announced and held in New York City later in the spring.