Willy Morris, owner of Willy’s Barber Shop in the SMU Hughes-Trigg Student Center, cuts the hair of a patron on Sept. 22. (Lindsay Paramore/The Daily Campus)
By ESSETE WORKNEH
Staff Writer
Upon entering Willy’s Barber Shop, one is immediately enveloped by the relaxed, southern atmosphere.
Visuals of cowboys, Texas flags and the country landscape are proudly displayed on the walls, as an eclectic mix of country music completes the setting.
“It’s somewhat of a Spartan atmosphere, with a cowboy accent,” said long time customer Joe Bays.
After all, Willy Morris, the owner of the Java City barber shop in Hughes-Trigg Student Center, is an eminently proud Texan.
“This place is better than any other place, bar none,” Morris said, as he continued to diligently work on his client.
Morris has been cutting hair since 1973; when prompted, he predicts that he has given roughly 88,000 haircuts over the course of his career.
Despite his impressive résumé, little is known about the easy-natured man that has tailored the tresses of governors, senators and everyday Joes.
Morris grew up in Wichita Falls, Texas and served in the U.S. Army from 1956-1959.
He has been married for almost 50 years and is a father of two.
When asked why he decided on a career as a barber, he laughs, and explains that “it’s warm in the summer and cool in the winter, and you always have something to jangle in your pockets.”
His clientele varies and includes SMU students and faculty, as well as outside patrons from the Dallas area.
The business is completely independent from SMU, and sittings are usually by appointment. However, walk-ins are accepted if there is free space.
Chemistry Professor Ed Biehl says he comes to Willy’s because “he’s good, he’s informative, [and] always has a conversation going on this place is better than any other place bar none.”
“He makes me 10 years younger every time I come in here. He can cut my moustache too, and a stylist can’t do that,” said theater professor, Charley Helfert.
The shop is open from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m., Tuesday through Friday.
On Saturdays, the shop opens at 6:30 a.m., but closing hours are not set in stone.
“Willy gives the earliest morning haircut in town,” Helfert said. “[It’s for] people who like to get their haircut before the sun comes up.”
“I have people that get up early. I’m an early riser anyway—I just can’t hardly wait to tear into my work,” Morris said with a chuckle.
Throughout the years, Morris has cultivated a warm family atmosphere.
“A lot of history comes through here,” Helfert said. “People bring their kids down here, and their kids bring their kids. It’s kind of neat.”
Bays, a former offensive guard for SMU football, has been a loyal client for 35 years.
“It all started when I walked into his barber shop as a freshman in September of 1975,” he said.
Since then, Bays has maintained an enduring friendship with the SMU barber.
“He gave my three boys their first hair cut,” he said.
Morris’ clients don’t just come into Willy’s for a great haircut. They seem to thoroughly enjoy the company of the charming barber.
“He’s just a very good person,” Bays said. “He would treat [former Texas governor] Bill Clements or [former SMU president] Chancellor Tate, the same way that he would treat the everyday guy that’s just coming in to get a haircut; that’s what makes him so unique.”
Haircuts and shaves at Willy’s each cost $16; a combination of both costs $28.
Appointments at Willy’s are available for scheduling at 214-368-0921.
“He’s a great guy and a great SMU supporter, and an icon for the university—and a lot of people don’t even know he’s there,” Bays said.
