William E. Morriss was born in Winnipeg and began his career with the Winnipeg Free Press in 1946. From 1967–84, Morriss was the editor of The Manitoba Co–operator, a weekly farm newspaper published by Manitoba Pool Elevators. He is a former president of the Winnipeg Press Club and of the Manitoba Legislative Press Gallery, and is an honourary life member of the Manitoba Farm Writers and Broadcasters Association.