William Paul Morton

Paul exited this life as he lived it, at full speed and with everyone else trying to figure out what was happening. He passed away at Hospice House in Bend after a sudden downturn in recent weeks. Born in Philadelphia, Paul graduated from Springfield (PA) High School and attended Dickinson College, where he met Katharine, his wife of 51 years, and earned a B.A. in English Literature and Comparative Religions. He received Masters degrees in Divinity and Sacred Theology from Berkeley Divinity School at Yale University and was ordained to the priesthood in the Episcopal Church. His years at Yale in the late 60s and early 70s were marked by civil rights activism and supporting the ordination of women as Episcopal priests. As part of the Danbury Public Library, he championed television as an information source and produced one of the first public access television channels in Connecticut. Paul got involved in cable television during its earliest years. He helped innovate and expand the industry in cable systems throughout the country, working for Cablevision in Connecticut, Chicago, and Massachusetts, and for Bell Atlantic in Virginia Beach. During his 40 years in cable, Paul advanced from director of programming to AGM to general manager and finally to the President / COO of Bend Cable Communications. In 1998, he found his home in Bend, Oregon, and loved being part of the Central Oregon community for over 20 years. At Bend Cable Communications, he took great pride in COTV's local sports and news coverage. In front of the camera, he enjoyed co-hosting the local TV show "Opposable Thumbs" (and making bathrobes fashionable again). He was an active member of Mt. Bachelor Rotary and served as President from 2015-2016. He also served on the board of the Boys and Girls Club and volunteered with the United Way. In video production, he learned the importance of preparation and hard work, and then of improvising when it all goes wrong anyway. He did not like to be bored and never bored his audience. Paul's ability to plan events and projects, coordinate with various people, and put together entertaining presentations made him a valuable (and fun) addition to his Rotary and other community groups. As he moved across the country, Paul continued his service as a worker priest, becoming involved in many Episcopal parishes and performing baptisms, marriages, and funerals for his co-workers, friends, and family. For over a decade, he was a supply priest in Episcopal churches throughout the diocese of Eastern Oregon. He was most active at St. Alban's in Redmond, the Church of the Transfiguration in Sisters, and Trinity in Bend. People were the most interesting thing in the world to Paul, and one of his core beliefs was the importance of how people treat one another. His genuine interest in the happenings, challenges, and joys of everyday life made him a welcome sounding board and confidant for many. He cherished the friendships that he formed along the way, enjoyed life's chance encounters, and gleefully confused the humorless and pretentious. Music, film, and theater were lifelong inspirations. Paul began performing at a young age and sang in churches, musical productions in college, and even in the Bend Cable band. His daughter will miss their trips to the movie theater and arguing about who was in what film. Paul also enjoyed escaping to the beach at least once a year. Vacations at the Jersey Shore and the Oregon Coast were treasured times with his wife, daughter, extended family, and friends. Paul was preceded in death by his father William, mother Dorothy, brother Glen, and nephew Anthony. He is survived by his wife Katharine and daughter Thea Morton; sister Alisa Morton Rolaf, brother-in-law Andre, nephews Andre and Alexander, niece Alivia, grandnephew Anthony, and grandniece Aubrey; sister-in-law Jody Morton Hawk, nephews Zackary and Seth, and grandnephews Brody and Calvin. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Partners in Care or any Boys and Girls Club.

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William Paul Morton

May 14, 1945 - July 7, 2021