R. Hamilton Morrison—father, entrepreneur, historic architecture expert, ad agency founder, real estate developer, sailor and bon vivant– passed away peacefully on April 1, 2023, with his children at his side.
Mr. Morrison, known as Ham, had an aura about him that drew people into his personal orbit. Early in his business career Ham founded the ad agency RH Morrison, Inc., which, to this day, fifty-six years later, remains one of the leading marketing firms in the mid-Atlantic under the name of Williams Whittle Associates. Displaying his architectural acumen, states his obituary, “he consolidated several old building in Old Town Alexandria into a single structure featuring a three-story atrium over a brick walkway and tropical garden, which served as the agency’s headquarters. His eye for architecture led the agency into many relationships with real estate developers, including the then-new town of Reston. He retired from the agency in 1978. Some believe that the Don Draper character in the TV series “Mad Men” was modeled after Ham.”
Williams Whittle is a full-service independent advertising agency specializing in nonprofit marketing in the greater Washington, D.C., area. It is the oldest independent agency in the D.C. area.
Click here for the full obituary.
That was my wonderful Uncle Ham— my Mother Agnes Morrison Witte’s little brother. Thank you to Rob Whittle for capturing his essence is this obit. I loved him immensely but am grateful that he is no longer lingering. He was so much fun and his laugh WAS just as described ❤️