W.M. Buzz Norris

W.M. (Buzz) Norris, Jr., 82, of Utica, died Monday, May 2, 2016 at his residence. He was born in Stanley to the late Wilbur McDonald Norris, Sr. and Stella Louise Boulware Norris. Buzz served his country in the United States Army and then received his B.A. from Kentucky Wesleyan College, M.A. from Western Kentucky University and was a political Science teacher for 30 years teaching at Daviess County High School, Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University. During his time in education he received the Outstanding Young Educator Award and the Outstanding Social Studies Teacher Award from the Kentucky Social Studies Council. He had been a member of DCEA, KEA and NEA for 50 years, was a member of the Kentucky and Daviess County Retired Teachers and was Past President of the Daviess County Teachers Association. Buzz was the Daviess County Judge Executive from 1990 – 1999 and had served on the Owensboro-Daviess County Planning and Zoning Commission for 13 years, the Southwest Water Board for 11 years, the Board of Adjustments and Appeals, Jr. Chamber Board of Directors, Chamber of Commerce, Friends of the Library, GRADD Board, Western Kentucky University Advisory Council, Noon Rotary and the Board Community Foundation. He served as a Trustee for Owensboro Daviess County System, Owensboro Mercy Health System, and Owensboro Daviess County Hospital Inc. where he also served as Board Secretary. He also was Chairman of the Board of Deacons and Elders at First Presbyterian Church, Co-Founder of Skills, Inc, and had received the Crystal Ball Award in 1992 and the Man of the Year Award from the Soil Conservation Group. Through all of his days as an educator and serving Daviess County he still found time to shop for antiques with his wife, spend time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he loved dearly, and practice his skills as a bass angler.

Buzz was also preceded in death by his wife Norma Lee Norris; sister, Ruth Riley; and brother, Robert Norris.

Survivors include his son Greg Norris and his wife Terri of Utica; grandchildren, Greg Norris II and his wife Hillary of Owensboro and Kathryn Edge and her husband Justin of Fordsville; great-grandchildren, Christian, Lilli, Gracie, Nolan and Harper; and brother, Richard Norris and his wife Carol of Owensboro.

Services will be 10 a.m. on Friday in the chapel of Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory. Visitation will be from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Thursday and after 8:30 a.m. on Friday at the funeral home. Burial in Rosehill Cemetery will be private.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the Rizpah Shriners, 3300 Hanson Rd, Madisonville, KY 42431.


Online condolences may be left for the family at www.glennfuneralhome.com.