MORSE, JOSEPH W.

Joseph Walden Morse MSGT, USMC Retired Born on 8/16/1917 in Detroit, Michigan and passed away on June 27, 2008 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, of almost 62 years, Joyce, of Moreno Valley, daughter Vicki, and son-in-law Bill, of Moreno Valley, and son John, and daughter-in-law Diana, of Bloomington, and many nieces and nephews. Joe enlisted in the USMC at the age of 18, and served in Guadalcanal, China, and Japan. Joe retired after 32 years. He worked for International Harvester and Kenworth, before starting his own equipment-leasing business. Joe was very involved in Boy Scouts with his son, and Girl Scouts with his daughter. Joe was an original member of the Moreno Valley General Plan Board that set the goals for the newly created City of Moreno Valley. Joe also served on the Eastern Municipal Water Board, and he and Mom were privileged to be able to stand on the floor of the Diamond Valley Lake before it was filled. Joe was also one of the original members of Semper Fi 1, the original group of retired Marines that formed to give the military honors to fallen warriors of all service branches. Before Semper Fi 1, there was no live bugler, no rifle salute, and no service personnel to render those honors at Riverside National Cemetery. Joe became an honorary member in later years. Now it is time for Joe to receive these full military honors he so richly deserves. Services will be held on Tuesday, July 15, 2008, Riverside National Cemetery. Assembly is at 11:15am, Staging Area 3 for the 12:30pm services. In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that donations be made to: Semper Fi #1, 25920 Iris Ave., #13A-117, Moreno Valley, CA., 92551.