He grew up in Hallam and Friend, graduating from Friend High School in 1944.
After serving in the U.S. Navy in the South Pacific during World War II, Norrie returned to Friend and eventually married the love of his life, Charleen Clover, in 1949. The couple soon moved to Lincoln where they remained until 2016, when they moved to Stockton, CA in order to be near their daughter and son-in-law.
Norris spent most of his career at Lincoln Manufacturing Company where he served as Sales Manager and Vice-President. In 1981 he obtained a U.S. Patent on a tire vulcanizing device he created. This device was distributed throughout the United States and much of Europe, and was used by NASA to make minor repairs on Spacecraft Rocket Booster Seals.
Norris was a member of St. Paul Methodist Church, the American Legion, the Husker Touchdown Club, and Hillcrest Country Club.
He loved family travel and was a skilled photographer. He was also an avid golfer and loyal fan of Husker football and basketball. But personal relationships were the most important part of his life. He treasured his family and friends, and people were drawn to him by his kindness, honesty, integrity, and warm smile.
Norrie was happily married to his loving wife Charleen for just under 70 years until her passing in 2018. Their beautiful friendship and love for each other was an inspiring example of what marriage should be. His constant presence with Char as she spent her last years with Alzheimer’s was a model of love and devotion.
Norrie is survived by daughter Lynelle, son-in-law Frank, step-grandson Jeff Wiens and his wife Amanda Ronconi of New York, and nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife Charleen, his parents, brother Arnold and sister-in-law Lois, and father-in-law and mother-in-law Del and Bluebell Clover.