Marco Island Senior Softball Community Remembers Buff Morris

Dozens and dozens of Marco Island Senior Softball League (MISSL) players, managers, coaches, umpires, volunteers, and leaders paid their respects to the late William “Buff” Morris during his celebration of life funeral service at San Marco Catholic Church, Marco Island, Fla. on Saturday, April 12, 2025. 

Morris passed away peacefully on March 27, 2025, one day after his 77th birthday following a four-month fight with gallbladder cancer. 

Remembered as a devoted husband, loving father, cherished grandfather, treasured brother, and loyal friend at the service officiated by Rev. Charles Ruoff (“Father Chuck”), Buff and his wife Virginia (Ginny) found a second family in the MISSL community after they discovered Marco Island while visiting friends. 

“Buff joined the League in 2010 playing for the Marco Community Bank as an infielder,” recalled MISSL Commissioner Tom Polston. “He enjoyed successful seasons with Omaha Bank and Crazy Flamingo through 2015. In my rookie year, 2016, he welcomed me to Crazy Flamingo and embraced me as if he had known me for 20 years,” Polston said. “He was a guy who made the dugout 'fun' with his sense of humor and sometimes playful sarcasm along with sharing stories from his own life.” 

Having a passion for participating in sports, whether as a player or coach from an early age, Buff came to slo-pitch softball later in life. Said Ginny, “he loved the sport,” noting how he delayed his interest in playing softball, instead valuing time with his family and his commitment to his work as a firefighter and later as a home inspector. When reflecting on his playing career in the MISSL, Buff remembered a moment that was saved in a League Yearbook. 

“In 2010, I accidentally hit a home run while my brother-in-law was sitting in the stands watching,” Buff said at the time. “It’s a long story, but I will tell you, it felt really good.” 

When he was done playing, Buff stayed connected to the League, serving as a coach, scout, and advisor. He spent hours at the MISSL pickup games in the summer, assessing the skills of aspiring players. “He was an excellent judge of softball skills, athleticism and character which is very important to a manager selecting a team of players,” said Polston. “Buff was often asked to actively participate in a managers’ draft process in the Marco and Gulf Divisions.”

In addition to being the beloved husband of Ginny, Buff was a proud father to William (Billy), Elizabeth (Beth) and her husband Brian, and Michael and his wife Sasha. He adored his grandchildren - Nicholas, Leah, Aiden, Jessica, Web, Cooper, and Nathan, who brought him endless joy. The family asks that any donations in Buff’s honor be made to Wounded Warrior Project, AVOW Hospice of Naples, or Tunnels to Towers Foundation.