Morris Edgar McWilliams, 86, of Manila died Friday, May 21, 2004, at his home. Born Feb. 7, 1918, in Alicia, Ark., the son of James A. and Minnie McIlhaney McWilliams, he was a farmer and worked as a custodian at the First Baptist Church in Manila before retiring in March. He was also a member of the First Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Rose Greer, Myrtle Mitchell and Vera Burrow; his brothers, Chester McWilliams, Ludie McWilliams and Barney Earls.

Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Margaret Freeman McWilliams of the home; children, Deborah and Gerald Donner of Manila and Buddy Jack and Lavella McWilliams of Blytheville; sisters, Esther Dyer of Paragould and Novell Ridgeway

of Kokomo, Ind.; brothers, Odell McWilliams of Blytheville and Bob McWilliams of Helena; grandchildren, Anne Adkins of Mountain Home, Sherry Mangrum of Jonesboro and John Ladd of Dallas, Texas; extended families, the Allen Donner family of Manila, the Gerry Donner family of Siloam Spring and the Alicia Phipps family of Knoxville, Tenn.; four great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Services were 2 p.m. Sunday in the Manila First Baptist Church, Revs. Ferrell Duffel and William Piercy officiating. Burial was in Manila Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to the Manila First Baptist Church, The Family Life Center or the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Condolences may be e-mailed to cobbfuneralhome@arkansas.net.