In October 2002 Bill Morris was awarded the Order of Jamaica by the Jamaican Government for services to international trade unionism.   He received the award from Sir Howard Cooke, then Governor General, Jamaica.

In November 2003, he was awarded the Honour of a Knighthood by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace.

On April 13 2006, the London Gazette announced that Bill Morris was to receive a life peerage.  He took his seat in the House of Lords on 13 June 2006 and took the title: Lord Morris of Handsworth. He retired on 21 July 2020.