The Corydon Democrat
Wednesday, January 3, 2001

Scholarship Honors Father, Son Judges

A Scholarship endowment has been established with Harrison County Community Foundation by the widow of the late Judge S. Morris Wilson, who died last year in May.

The endowment also honors the judge’s father, the late Judge Thomas J. Wilson, who served as Harrison Circuit judge from 1921 to 1934. Morris Wilson served from 1947 until 1958 and again from 1986 to 1987, when Judge Scott T. Miller resigned to serve as prosecutor in Crawford County.

The Scholarship will at first be limited to a Corydon Central High School band member who attends Indiana University, Morris Wilson’s alma mater. He was also a Corydon High School Band member and a member of I.U.’s Marching 100.

Wilson’s widow, the former Ileen Sego, could not be reached this week, but a long-time family friend, Judge H. Lloyd (Tad) Whitis, said the scholarships will not be restricted to Corydon graduates after the fund has grown to a more sizeable amount.

"We’ve been friends for a long time, and after he passed away, I suggested this to (the family) as a way to remember both the son and the father," Whitis said. "There will be other contributions, I expect."

"I’m going to contribute…and some other attorneys had indicated to me they are going to contribute."

Whitis met Morris Wilson in 1971, after opening a law practice in Corydon. "He was a very well respected attorney and person," Whitis said.

Whitis recalled his friend’s penchant for sending first-time drunk drivers to jail for at least 10 days. He said Wilson, a republican, once told him: "I didn’t care what their politics were. I put Republicans and precinct committeemen in jail.".

Whitis added: "He was quite a character, wasn’t he!"

Foundation executive director Steve Gilliland said Ileen Wilson’s $3,000 contribution will be matched by the foundation.

Scholarship recipients will be selected by a panel named in the agreement, Gilliland said.

The award will be based on need and the recipient can attend any I.U. campus, Gilliland said.

For more information, contact Steve Gilliland at 738-6668.