Williamson County Precinct 4 Commissioner Ron Morrison was first elected to office in 2006.[/caption]Williamson County Commissioner Ron Morrison died of cancer Sept. 7, after a diagnosis 14 years ago. Morrison, who was elected as Precinct 4 commissioner in 2006 and began serving in 2007, was in the middle of his third term.
“[Morrison] was a public servant from the heart and loved to do things to help people out,” said Pete Correa, Morrison’s longtime friend and assistant. “I’ll remember him most for his sense of humor. He was just a beautiful person. He was easy to work for and just got things done.”
While serving as the Precinct 4 commissioner, Morrison focused on improving county recycling efforts, transportation and the redesign of the Williamson County Expo Center. County Judge Dan Gattis said Morrison worked for the good of Precinct 4, which covers most of eastern Williamson County, including Hutto, Granger, Taylor and portions of Round Rock.
“Morrison was a good man and true gentleman who worked very hard to represent the citizens of Precinct 4 in Williamson County and clearly kept their best interests in his heart every day,” Gattis said. “Never did I have a conversation with Ron that he wasn’t lobbying or promoting some aspect of east Williamson County. His smile and humor will be missed by all of us, and I personally have lost a good friend.”
Morrison graduated from Round Rock High School and was an active member of the Round Rock community, serving with the YMCA, Round Rock Rotary Club, Round Rock Noon Kiwanis Club and the Williamson County Pop Warner football league.
Precinct 2 Commissioner Cynthia Long said Morrison worked to make a difference in the Round Rock community, where he lived most of his life.
“[His] life was characterized by service,” she said. “He loved people and loved life. Ron was always ready with an encouraging word and a great story to match. My life and my family’s life has been enriched and blessed because of Ron.”
Morrison and his wife, Glenda, were married for nearly 50 years, and the couple owned and operated Morrison Auto Inc. for more than 25 years in Round Rock.
A former RRHS teacher and Texas State University instructor, Morrison had bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Texas State.
During his time on the court, Morrison chaired the county’s Fleet Committee, the Capital Area Council of Governments Clean Air Force Committee, the Capital Area Rural Transportation Planning Organization Committee, the Round Rock Economic Development Partnership Committee, the Central Texas Resource Conservation & Development Council and the Clean Air Coalition.
Williamson County resident Larry Madsen was appointed Oct. 11 to fill the vacancy for the remainder of Morrison's unexpired term, which ends Dec. 31, 2018.
The position is up for election in November 2018. Madsen recently retired from the city of Round Rock where he served as construction project manager.
He has also served on the Williamson County and Cities Health District's Board of Health.
Correction: This story has been corrected to clarify that Larry Madsen was appointed to the court by Williamson County Judge Dan Gattis, not Williamson County commissioners.
