Surprise Retirement Party .... Sixty people surprised retiring Sheriff Billy Joe Morris Thursday, Dec. 28, at the Cajun's Express in Wheatley with a retirement party. All the Monroe County offices were represented along with family, co-workers and friends. Jim and Phyllis Stinson organized the surprise party and presented Sheriff Morris with a Mack's gift certificate and cash. His sister, Mildred Craig of Granbury, Texas, presented Sheriff Morris with a scrapbook of his career that his niece, Lana Lambarth of Grandbury, Texas, made from old newspaper articles of the Monroe County Sun and various other momentos. Billy Joe was joined by his daughter, Martha Meredith, and granddaughter, Blyss Meredith. His son, Chris, a pilot for Southwind Airlines, was unable to attend due to flying obligations. The party was a very well kept secret. "I was speechless. And when I enter a room and don't say anything for a few seconds, then you can say I was shocked," Morris said.
note: Morris has lived in Holly Grove most of his life.
