Henry Edwin Morton, age 99, passed away on Sunday, October 6, 2024, in the N.C. State Veteran's Home of Kinston. He was born August 16, 1925, to the late Joseph and Estelle King Morton in Faison, NC. He is preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Ruth Phillips. Ed graduated from Faison High School and then went on to study at Mars Hill college. He was drafted into military service and served in the United States Navy in World War II. He was a First-Class Petty Officer in communication aboard the USS Lovelace. He was the first on his ship to receive the message that the Japanese had surrendered.  Ed returned home went back to Mars Hill College and graduated with an associate's degree. After college he was a pharmaceutical drug salesman for a while. Ed then returned to business college and graduated, with a degree in accounting. He then joined the Goldsboro Fire Department and moved up the ranks to Assistant Fire Chief prior to retiring after 30 years. He loved to travel, and had been in 37 countries and all 50 United States.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel at Parrish Funeral Home. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the Faison Cemetery.

Ed is survived by his wife of 39 wonderful years, Betty Ruth Penny Johnson Morton; son, John Andrew Morton and wife Nora; three grandchildren, Martha and husband, Leno Abraham of West Virginia, Mary Anna Morton of Goldsboro, NC, and Matthew Andrew Morton and wife Ellen of Wisconsin.