Foster William “Bill” Morgan, 79, of Morganton, passed away on September 24, 2026, after a hard five-year battle with Alzheimers. To family and friends, he was known simply as “Pugs”.

He was born on December 9, 1946, to Foster Morgan, Sr. and Evelyn McGalliard Morgan. Bill grew up in Valdese, where he attended Valdese High School. He was a natural athlete, excelling in football and baseball. He loved his years as a Valdese Tiger, always telling stories and displaying his glove and baseball from his last game. He received a degree in History from Lenor Rhyne University and a master’s degree from ASU. Bill shared his love of history for 30 years with countless students at Willow Tree, Oak Hill Jr. High, Glen Alpine Jr. High and Table Rock Middle School. He also taught Burke County history at WPCC, where he and Kathy spent many summers taking students all over the mountains of western North Carolina.

Bill’s other great love was deer hunting and fishing Lake James. He never missed an opening day of deer or turkey season. He was an avid hunter and great shot. Kathy finally had to lay down the law, “that if a deer head went up on the wall, one had to come down’. He also loved to travel. He and Kathy traveled extensively over the U.S., Canada, and trips to Italy. But Bill was probably the happiest on his tractor puttering around his land on Adventist Circle.

He leaves many happy memories and love to his wife of 34 years, Kathy Swink Morgan, his son, Mike Morgan (April), and stepdaughters, Traci Morley and Cam Fitzgerald (Mike). Also surviving are the apples of his eye, his seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

The family would like to thank Grace Ridge Health Care for the exceptional and loving care they gave to Bill and especially to CNA Austin Belue, who became his great buddy.

Memorials may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association of Western North Carolina or Foothills Conservancy.