William (Bill) Craigue Morse Jr.

William “Bill” Craigue Morse Jr., age 96, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away on March 15, 2026, at the Madrid Nursing Home.

Bill was born June 2, 1929, in Winterset, Iowa, the son of William Craigue and Velda May (Hulbert) Morse. He graduated from Winterset High School in 1947. On October 5, 1947, he married the love of his life, Mary Juanita Busch, in Laverne, Iowa.

Throughout his life, Bill worked in several occupations, most notably as a farmhand, salesman, law enforcement officer, and realtor. During his youth he was very active in Madison County 4-H, serving as county 4-H president and being named “Madison County 4-H’er of the Year” in 1946.

Bill was very active in civic and fraternal organizations over the years. He was a member of the I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) in Winterset and Knoxville and the Rebekah Lodge Auxiliary. He volunteered as a Juvenile Probation Officer through the Waterloo Probation Office. He was also involved with the Cedar Falls Emergency Citizens Band Club, serving as a past board member. Bill held memberships in the Masonic organizations including Black Hawk Lodge #65 in Cedar Falls, the York Rite of Freemasonry, the Scottish Rite Valley of Cedar Rapids, and the El Kahir Shrine Temple in Cedar Rapids. He was also a member of the Cedar Falls Chapter #78 Order of Eastern Star, the El Mecca Shrine Club in Waterloo, the Cedar Falls Sertoma Club where he served as past president, and the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Cedar Falls, along with several other civic organizations.

Bill will be remembered for his infectious smile, blue eyes, the love of family and his wittiness.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary, in September of 2005; his son, Clifton Paul Morse; and his brother and sister-in-law, Edgar and Ida Morse.

He is survived by his children, Christine (Gary) Allenbrand and William Craigue Morse III; grandchildren, Tori (Greg) Fox, Tye (Elizabeth) Allenbrand, and Tobe (Denise) Allenbrand; great-grandchildren, Brianna Poe, Alexis Chinn, Sydnee Chinn, Mackenzie Allenbrand, Raelyn Allenbrand, Jennifer Webb, Jake Webb, and Jaxon Allenbrand; great-great-grandchild, Braxton Poe; his sister, Betty Johns; as well as many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.

Cremation has taken place and no services are planned at this time. Family requests no flowers. Any donations should go to Shriners Hospital or Unity Point Hospice. Cards sent to: Chris Allenbrand, 26724 Tropicana Dr Menifee, CA 92585.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.caldwellparrish.com