John Willie Morrison, 82 of Rock Island passed away Saturday December 5, 2020 at Trinity Unity Point Hospital with his loving wife by his side.

Born 1938 in Luxora, Arkansas the son of Paulean and John Morrison. John married Berdine Thompson May 6, 1957. In 1963 at the age of 25 John moved north to Flint, Michigan in search of better career options after working for a grocer in Arkansas. After a short time in Flint working for General Motors, John moved to East Moline to work for John Deere Foundry, eventually settling in Rock Island in 1965. Together John and Berdine raised six children at their home in Rock Island. After 29 years of service, in 1993 John took an early retirement when the foundry closed its doors. In May of that same year John opened Morrison's Barbershop following in the footsteps of his father before him. Many remember him cutting hair from his home long before that opening day.

John decided to put down roots in the west end of Rock Island to serve as a community leader and for 19 years, until his second retirement in 2012, he was a pillar there. John was selfless in his donations to community organizations and often gave free haircuts to kids in need leading up to the beginning of the school year.

Throughout his life John loved to play pool and watch sports, especially boxing and football. John was a self taught handyman and liked to work on home improvements. Lovingly he is remembered for being a jack of all trades and a master of none. After retirement, He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren alongside his wife, Berdine.

John is preceded in death by his mother, Paulean Jones Foreman; father, John Morrison and brother, Rozell (Junior) Ritemon.

John's legacy lives on in his wife, Berdine; children; John Jr. (Wendy) Morrison, Linda Morrison, Michael Morrison, Larry (Valerie) Morrison, Paula (Robert Anthony) Wilson, Amy (Lamar) Cook; brother, Joe Morrison; grandchildren, Terrance, Matthew (Lennisia), Corey (Lindsay), Aaron (Tiara), LaShanda, Donterious (Kamerra), Ebony; great grandchildren; Adam, Avarie, Tyler, Landon, Keegan, Kylie, Journee, Diem, Kynlee, RyaLynn.

A small private service will be held at a later date. Arrangements by Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home and Crematory, Rock Island. Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, or South Rock Island Township Community Services. Condolences to Berdine Morrison at 8920 19th St. W. Rock Island, IL 61201.