Winston C. Morris

Winston Creighton Morris (Windy) 87, of Ashland, passed from this life to the next to be with his Lord on Saturday, November 2, 2019 at Community Hospice Care Center after an extended illness. He was born June 23, 1932, in Ashland, KY, son of the late Alva Wayland and Georgia McNeal Morris. A graduate of Ashland High School, he attended Ashland Junior College and the University of Louisville.
Winston loved the Lord with all of his heart, giving his life to Jesus Christ in 1966. His Christian faith was non-denominational, and he enjoyed attending different churches and functions where he could meet, fellowship and worship with other Christians with whom he would spend eternity. He was a former 30 year plus member of First Church of God, serving as a choir member and soloist, and also attended Beech Street Christian Church, singing in the choir and as soloist. He most recently was a member of Rose Hill Baptist Church, sang in the choir and as soloist, as well as serving in nursing home ministry. Winston surely loved to sing for the Lord!
In 1980 he co-produced the TV program “Events in (Christian) Perspective” along with WTSF-TV station owner Claude Messinger, and for many years enjoyed attending the local Community Prayer Breakfast.
Winston’s long employment and military history was varied and interesting. As a teen, he worked part-time as a laborer in housing construction, learning many skills that would serve him well later in life.
He proudly served 14 years with the Kentucky Army National Guard, where he was also employed full time for four years. He retired from Armco/AK Steel as a Hot Strip Mill furnace tender after 36 years. Prior to his employment with Armco, he worked in the lab at Allied Chemical in South Point, Arthur Murray’s in Huntington as a dance instructor, and traveled the Ohio River working from Ashland to the Gulf of Mexico on the Ashland Oil river boats.
Winston was active in myriad community affairs and organizations including serving four terms as an elected Ashland City Commissioner. During his terms of office, the city secured the downtown Plaza hotel, the Federal Building, Ashland Town Center and the Riverfront Park property. Also during his terms, the commission approved building Central Park’s Professor “Pop” Lewis gazebo stand, so named for Winston’s first band director. “Pop” used to bring the Ashland High School Band to play concerts in the old wooden park bandstand many years earlier.
Winston’s numerous civic volunteer activities include serving as Chairman and Board Member of the Ashland Housing Authority, Treasurer of the Boyd County Republican Party, Chairman and Board Member of Shelter of Hope, President of the Boyd County Citizen’s Caucus, President of Ashland Toastmasters, President of Armco Veteran’s Club and President of the Boyd County Old Timer’s Club.
Winston loved good music! In his younger years he played in the Ashland Tomcat Band, the University of Louisville Marching and Concert Bands, and the 202nd Army National Guard Band. A member of the American Legion Post #0200, he played in the Post 76 American Legion Band as well as occasionally filling in with local dance bands.
He was a charter member of Ashland’s Singing Kernels Barbershop Chorus and quartet member for several years, even singing with the Southernmost Barbershop in the USA Chorus while in Key West, Florida! Active for years with the Performing Arts Guild, Winston appeared in many musicals at both the Paramount Theater and the Community College. He once starred as the iconic King Arthur in “Camelot”.
One of Winston’s most cherished roles was that of “Santa Claus” at Ashland’s Town Center Mall. Smiling with twinkling blue eyes, he bellowed his deep bass “Ho Ho Ho’s” for long hours as lines of excited children waited to sit on his lap to whisper in his ear their heartfelt desires for Christmas morning!
Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 58 years, Frances Coleman Morris of Ashland, children Lisa S. Morris of Key West, Florida, Scott A. Morris of Lawrenceburg and Lori Morris Darragh (Will) of Lexington; grandchildren Kelsey Claire Morris, Zachary Tate Morris, William Coleman Darragh, and Colin Morris Darragh; sister Jo Marilyn Morris Douglas, and a host of loving extended family members and dear friends and cherished pets.
A celebration of Winston’s life will be held at 1pm Wednesday, November 6, 2019 at Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel with Reverend Ken Vaughn officiating; burial will follow in Ashland Cemetery.
Visitation will be held from Noon until 1pm Wednesday at Steen Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Beech Street Christian Church Family Life Center, or to the Rose Hill Christian School.
To share a remembrance of Winston or express a condolence to his family, please visit www.SteenFuneralHome.com.

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