A headstone maker who designs memorials for famous clients is planning to construct a new building for his business in Pasco.

Tim Morris, owner of Headstones by Cemetery Tim, recently bought 2.65 acres just west of City View Cemetery in Pasco. He paid $700,000 for the four parcels, according to property records.

“I’m going to expand my business and have a larger showroom. Everything that I do is to have more options available for the families,” he said.

Morris’ existing showroom is in downtown Pasco at 325 W. Lewis St., where parking is challenge, he said.

He is planning an 8,600-square-foot building, estimated to cost about $500,000, that will have its own parking lot. He expects to have it completed by the end of the year.

“I just have a bigger vision for the company now,” he said. “And being next door to the cemetery will give me the exposure I need.”

He also recently moved his Yakima workshop and showroom into a bigger 6,000-square-foot space, doubling the size of the previous location.

Celebrity clients

While Morris bases his operations in the Tri-Cities and Yakima Valley region, he continues to serve famous clientele across the country: Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes of the hip hop group TLC, rapper Nate Dogg and Tejano singer Jimmy Gonzalez, among others.

His most recent celebrity client was rapper Coolio, who soared to fame in the mid-90s. He’s best known for his Grammy Award-winning hit, “Gangsta’s Paradise,” as well as the song, “Fantastic Voyage.”

Coolio’s remains were cremated so the cenotaph Morris designed serves a memorial to his life rather than a grave marker. An inscription reads: “I’m home now in Gangsta’s Paradise.”

Morris traveled to Coolio’s Las Vegas home to install the stone in December.

Honoring local murder victim

Morris recently decided to honor someone closer to home, a Tri-City murder victim.

He teamed up with Snoop Dogg’s cousin Daz Dillinger, who worked with Dr. Dre on his triple-platinum album “The Chronic” in 1992 and Snoop’s debut solo album, “Doggystyle” in 1993.

The men launched a contest to give away a customized monument to a family.

They chose the family of Jatzivy Sarabia, 18, a Hanford High graduate who was killed during an Oct. 15 shooting on Highway 397 outside Kennewick.

“Her story is just so sad,” Morris said.

A 22-year-old has been arrested on suspicion of homicide in her death.

Dillinger plans to visit the Tri-Cities to dedicate the monument this summer, Morris said.