Major William F. Morrissey, USA, Retired died peacefully and surrounded by his family on July 6, 2021, at William Beaumont Army Medical Center in Fort Bliss, Texas. William fought a courageous battle against cancer, the result of exposure during his military service at Ground Zero (NYC) on 9/11. He is survived by Jennifer, his wife of 30 years, and their sons, Ian and Liam.

William was born in New York, New York, and enlisted in the United States Army after high school. He attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, where he majored in Powdered Metallurgical Engineering. William graduated Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army in 1991.

He served with the Rainbow Division (42ID), the National Guard Bureau, and 53rd Troop Command. He was awarded the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, multiple Army Commendation Medals and Army Achievement Medals, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, and four Overseas Deployment Ribbons.

William was an avid reader of History and the Sciences and loved discussion. He possessed a quick wit, intelligent mind, and charismatic personality. William’s lifelong desire for travel took him around the world. However, his greatest desire was to share all of his life with his wife and sons, for they were the bedrock of his life.

William’s family is grateful for the exceptional support and care provided by the medical teams at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland, Georgetown University Hospital in Washington DC, and William Beaumont Army Medical Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.

William and Jennifer recently retired to their home in the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico. Although far too short, their time together in the American Southwest was truly enchanting and their home quickly became the family’s retreat as William had hoped.

William will be buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on November 15, 2021. A reception will follow, by invitation only.

Jennifer, Ian, and Liam wish to thank friends and family for the outpouring of kindness at this difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that monetary gifts be made to The Ruesch Center at Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center to support gastrointestinal cancer research in memory of MAJ William F. Morrissey.

Please send monetary gifts to:

Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

Office of Development

Department Number 0734

Washington, DC 20073-0734

Monetary gifts may also be made by calling Georgetown University at 202-687-1690 or by emailing [email protected]. Please indicate that your gift will be for The Ruesch Center at Georgetown University Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center in memory of MAJ William F. Morrissey.

“… and that by participating in the trial, Bill opened the door to other patients receiving immunotherapy with chemotherapy at the onset, which is now the standard of care.”

• Benjamin A. Weinberg, MD, Georgetown University Medical Center

The Morrissey Family will always be grateful for the support and care which Bill received at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. We have chosen The Oakleaf Club of Greater Washington, DC as a worthy organization to receive gifts in memory of MAJ William F. Morrissey. 

The Oakleaf Club is a 100% volunteer-run 501(c)(3) non-profit, public charity organization consisting of active, retired, reserve officers and their spouses or significant others, as well as GS 7 and above, affiliated with Military Health Services. Oakleaf is a social and benevolence organization with a primary focus on benevolence programs for patients, families, and staff at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (WRNMMC). 

Benevolence activities have included donations to the Wounded Warrior fund, with additional fundraising and expenditures focused specifically on the wounded and their families. Each year, Oakleaf donates to several hospital department’s Ad Hoc requests and the Pediatric Stuffed Animal support program at WRNMMC. Through these programs, Oakleaf responds to specific needs of the staff to support wounded warriors, patient and staff needs related to morale and patient care. Most recently, Oakleaf contributed over 300 meals for staff administering COVID-19 vaccines, donated over $1000 toward gift bags to support new mothers, donated over $400 to the American Red Cross at WRNMMC, and over $200 for Internal Medicine’s breast cancer awareness event. Currently, Oakleaf is assembling appreciation gift bags for over 100 staff members of 4-East and Pediatrics.

We hope you will consider donating to the Oakleaf Club of Greater Washington DC. Your donation will allow Oakleaf to continue fulfilling its mission of serving those who serve our country. You can donate by following this link – tinyurl.com/Donate2Oakleaf – or by mail to:

The Oakleaf Club

8901 Wisconsin Ave

Box 248

Bethesda, MD 20879