A boy’s dream came true
WHEN he was a young boy, Basil Morley’s teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. “I want to be a funeral man,” he replied.
Over more than 50 years, Basil not only achieved this childhood dream; he did it with such compassion that he ended up being considered Townsville’s best, dedicating his life to comforting people in their grief and celebrating the lives of others.
Born in Townsville on November 12, 1926 to William Edward and Elizabeth Ellen, Basil Mitchell Morley grew up in Hermit Park doing the mischievous things that many young boys did at that time; blowing up the neighbour’s letter boxes with firecrackers, and throwing mangoes out of the trees at unsuspecting passers- by.
Church was a big part of Basil’s life. He attended Hermit Park Methodist Church and eventually became a Sunday school teacher and member of the Methodist Order of Knights.
Growing up during World War II meant that the idea of serving his country in the military had great appeal. At the age of 16 with the permission of his dad, Basil enlisted in the Merchant Navy with paperwork stating he was 18.
He was assigned to the steamship Burwah and headed straight into the war zone of Northern Australia where he served during the bombing of Darwin. Upon returning to Townsville, his mother showed up with his birth certificate proving his real age, effectively ending his naval career.
Back in Townsville Basil got a job in a department store where he was able to explore his interest in the funeral industry by helping out the undertaker.
Around this time he also met a beautiful young lady named Betty Harman and the pair were instantly smitten with each other. They were married on March 30, 1946 and had three daughters, Lynette and identical twins Margaret and Robyn.
After building some experience as a funeral director with F. Heatley and Son, Basil finally achieved his dream of opening is own business in 1961. In the early years Morley’s Funerals operated from the family home using their two- tone blue Holden sedan which they painted black.
Basil quickly built a reputation as a great funeral director demonstrating great professionalism and compassion to his clients. Within a year of starting their own business, Basil and Betty opened their brand new funeral parlour in Dearness St.
Running the booming business with three young children wasn’t easy, and the pair experienced many hardships along the way including the destruction of most of the parlour when Cyclone Althea hit in the 1970s. But with hard work and determination they always came through. Outside of the business, Basil had a very busy social life. He was an active member of the Townsville West Rotary Club, receiving the club’s highest honour – the Paul Harris Fellowship – for his outstanding efforts in the community.
He was also instrumental in getting a crematorium established in Townsville, and he and Betty were recognised by then Mayor Tony Mooney for their compassionate and loyal service to the Townsville community in 1999.
To all those who knew him, Basil Morley was a gentleman. He was generous, dedicated, professional, honest, hardworking, and caring. He had a strong faith in God, and deep love for his family which spread to comfort each and every family that came through the doors of Morley’s Funerals.
Basil Morley passed away peacefully on October 9, just short of his 91st birthday and was laid to rest on the 56th anniversary of the day he opened his business. He leaves behind his loving wife of 71 years, Betty; three daughters Lynette, Margaret and Robyn; nine grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and one great- great grandchild.