Willard E. Harris was born September 12, 1931 in Outlook, WA to Thomas Harris and Isabel Nora Braniff Harris. He was the eldest of four children in his family.
At an early age his family moved to the Wilson Highway area near Grandview, and Bill started school there. At age nine he with his family moved to a home on Euclid Rd about a mile east of Mabton. One of his favorite stories involved his riding with his Grandpa Harris in a wagon and freezing his feet on the way to the new home.
He graduated from Mabton High School in 1950 having played basketball and football. In January of 1951, Bill joined the Air Force and took airplane mechanic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After being stationed in South Carolina he was then stationed in Ashiya, Japan, as flight engineer on the C-119, Flying Boxcar, between Japan and French Indo-China. He was honorably discharged in Aug. of 1954 and on Oct. 29, 1954 married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Sharpe, also of Mabton. Their first home, for 5 years, was on Pine St. in Mabton, and in 1959 they moved to their present home on the corner of Euclid and Ferry Rds.
Bill was a hard worker, working a year at the Mabton Mill, and then for Roy Sharpe in the Glade area, for 11 years. Other jobs included being a hop machine mechanic for Shinn Farms, and in the fall of 1968 he began employment as a welder at The Farm Shop in Sunnyside. He decided to become a full time farmer in 1976 and was self employed until 1996. During his career as a farmer he grew asparagus, corn, wheat, beans, peas, mint and hay. He farmed with intense dedication until his retirement. Beginning in 2000 he and Carolyn enjoyed RV trips with Fred and Nancy Mears until Fred could no longer travel, and they started solo travel to Yuma and Morristown, AZ. Bill was very proud of his RV and as much as possible, kept it in ready to drive condition. Bill loved the soil, and after selling almost all his acreage he continued to raise a vegetable garden, as well as grow raspberries and strawberries. Last summer he tried watermelons, and was proud of the many big ones that grew. Bill enjoyed following all his sons when they played high school sports, and watching many sports activities on the TV. Fishing and hunting with his sons and grandsons were also an important part of his life. He liked to travel and trips included visiting England, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, plus Oregon and Washington beaches. Bill attended the Mabton Grace Brethren Church, and was a member of the Mabton VFW post. He and Carolyn recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and 5 children: Margi and Gil Trevino of Grandview, WA; Bill, Jr. and Debbie Harris of Henderson, NV; Dan Harris of Pasco, WA; Marci and Tony Gonzalez of Grandview, WA; and Steve and Darlene Harris of Stanwood, WA . Fifteen grandchildren and 6 great grand-children also survive. He is also survived by two brothers, Bob and Barbara Harris of Chewelah, WA and Jim and Ann Harris of Grandview, WA; brother-in-law, John Trainor; his twin aunts, Rose Cunningham and Marge Castle; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his son, David Michael Harris, his parents and his sister, Bernice Trainor.
Services were held at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. Prior to the memorial service a private graveside service will be held at the Mabton cemetery.
At an early age his family moved to the Wilson Highway area near Grandview, and Bill started school there. At age nine he with his family moved to a home on Euclid Rd about a mile east of Mabton. One of his favorite stories involved his riding with his Grandpa Harris in a wagon and freezing his feet on the way to the new home.
He graduated from Mabton High School in 1950 having played basketball and football. In January of 1951, Bill joined the Air Force and took airplane mechanic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After being stationed in South Carolina he was then stationed in Ashiya, Japan, as flight engineer on the C-119, Flying Boxcar, between Japan and French Indo-China. He was honorably discharged in Aug. of 1954 and on Oct. 29, 1954 married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Sharpe, also of Mabton. Their first home, for 5 years, was on Pine St. in Mabton, and in 1959 they moved to their present home on the corner of Euclid and Ferry Rds.
Bill was a hard worker, working a year at the Mabton Mill, and then for Roy Sharpe in the Glade area, for 11 years. Other jobs included being a hop machine mechanic for Shinn Farms, and in the fall of 1968 he began employment as a welder at The Farm Shop in Sunnyside. He decided to become a full time farmer in 1976 and was self employed until 1996. During his career as a farmer he grew asparagus, corn, wheat, beans, peas, mint and hay. He farmed with intense dedication until his retirement. Beginning in 2000 he and Carolyn enjoyed RV trips with Fred and Nancy Mears until Fred could no longer travel, and they started solo travel to Yuma and Morristown, AZ. Bill was very proud of his RV and as much as possible, kept it in ready to drive condition. Bill loved the soil, and after selling almost all his acreage he continued to raise a vegetable garden, as well as grow raspberries and strawberries. Last summer he tried watermelons, and was proud of the many big ones that grew. Bill enjoyed following all his sons when they played high school sports, and watching many sports activities on the TV. Fishing and hunting with his sons and grandsons were also an important part of his life. He liked to travel and trips included visiting England, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, plus Oregon and Washington beaches. Bill attended the Mabton Grace Brethren Church, and was a member of the Mabton VFW post. He and Carolyn recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and 5 children: Margi and Gil Trevino of Grandview, WA; Bill, Jr. and Debbie Harris of Henderson, NV; Dan Harris of Pasco, WA; Marci and Tony Gonzalez of Grandview, WA; and Steve and Darlene Harris of Stanwood, WA . Fifteen grandchildren and 6 great grand-children also survive. He is also survived by two brothers, Bob and Barbara Harris of Chewelah, WA and Jim and Ann Harris of Grandview, WA; brother-in-law, John Trainor; his twin aunts, Rose Cunningham and Marge Castle; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his son, David Michael Harris, his parents and his sister, Bernice Trainor.
Services were held at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. Prior to the memorial service a private graveside service will be held at the Mabton cemetery.
Willard E. Harris was born September 12, 1931 in Outlook, WA to Thomas Harris and Isabel Nora Braniff Harris. He was the eldest of four children in his family.
At an early age his family moved to the Wilson Highway area near Grandview, and Bill started school there. At age nine he with his family moved to a home on Euclid Rd about a mile east of Mabton. One of his favorite stories involved his riding with his Grandpa Harris in a wagon and freezing his feet on the way to the new home.
He graduated from Mabton High School in 1950 having played basketball and football. In January of 1951, Bill joined the Air Force and took airplane mechanic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After being stationed in South Carolina he was then stationed in Ashiya, Japan, as flight engineer on the C-119, Flying Boxcar, between Japan and French Indo-China. He was honorably discharged in Aug. of 1954 and on Oct. 29, 1954 married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Sharpe, also of Mabton. Their first home, for 5 years, was on Pine St. in Mabton, and in 1959 they moved to their present home on the corner of Euclid and Ferry Rds.
Bill was a hard worker, working a year at the Mabton Mill, and then for Roy Sharpe in the Glade area, for 11 years. Other jobs included being a hop machine mechanic for Shinn Farms, and in the fall of 1968 he began employment as a welder at The Farm Shop in Sunnyside. He decided to become a full time farmer in 1976 and was self employed until 1996. During his career as a farmer he grew asparagus, corn, wheat, beans, peas, mint and hay. He farmed with intense dedication until his retirement. Beginning in 2000 he and Carolyn enjoyed RV trips with Fred and Nancy Mears until Fred could no longer travel, and they started solo travel to Yuma and Morristown, AZ. Bill was very proud of his RV and as much as possible, kept it in ready to drive condition. Bill loved the soil, and after selling almost all his acreage he continued to raise a vegetable garden, as well as grow raspberries and strawberries. Last summer he tried watermelons, and was proud of the many big ones that grew. Bill enjoyed following all his sons when they played high school sports, and watching many sports activities on the TV. Fishing and hunting with his sons and grandsons were also an important part of his life. He liked to travel and trips included visiting England, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, plus Oregon and Washington beaches. Bill attended the Mabton Grace Brethren Church, and was a member of the Mabton VFW post. He and Carolyn recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and 5 children: Margi and Gil Trevino of Grandview, WA; Bill, Jr. and Debbie Harris of Henderson, NV; Dan Harris of Pasco, WA; Marci and Tony Gonzalez of Grandview, WA; and Steve and Darlene Harris of Stanwood, WA . Fifteen grandchildren and 6 great grand-children also survive. He is also survived by two brothers, Bob and Barbara Harris of Chewelah, WA and Jim and Ann Harris of Grandview, WA; brother-in-law, John Trainor; his twin aunts, Rose Cunningham and Marge Castle; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his son, David Michael Harris, his parents and his sister, Bernice Trainor.
Services were held at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. Prior to the memorial service a private graveside service will be held at the Mabton cemetery.
At an early age his family moved to the Wilson Highway area near Grandview, and Bill started school there. At age nine he with his family moved to a home on Euclid Rd about a mile east of Mabton. One of his favorite stories involved his riding with his Grandpa Harris in a wagon and freezing his feet on the way to the new home.
He graduated from Mabton High School in 1950 having played basketball and football. In January of 1951, Bill joined the Air Force and took airplane mechanic training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. After being stationed in South Carolina he was then stationed in Ashiya, Japan, as flight engineer on the C-119, Flying Boxcar, between Japan and French Indo-China. He was honorably discharged in Aug. of 1954 and on Oct. 29, 1954 married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn Sharpe, also of Mabton. Their first home, for 5 years, was on Pine St. in Mabton, and in 1959 they moved to their present home on the corner of Euclid and Ferry Rds.
Bill was a hard worker, working a year at the Mabton Mill, and then for Roy Sharpe in the Glade area, for 11 years. Other jobs included being a hop machine mechanic for Shinn Farms, and in the fall of 1968 he began employment as a welder at The Farm Shop in Sunnyside. He decided to become a full time farmer in 1976 and was self employed until 1996. During his career as a farmer he grew asparagus, corn, wheat, beans, peas, mint and hay. He farmed with intense dedication until his retirement. Beginning in 2000 he and Carolyn enjoyed RV trips with Fred and Nancy Mears until Fred could no longer travel, and they started solo travel to Yuma and Morristown, AZ. Bill was very proud of his RV and as much as possible, kept it in ready to drive condition. Bill loved the soil, and after selling almost all his acreage he continued to raise a vegetable garden, as well as grow raspberries and strawberries. Last summer he tried watermelons, and was proud of the many big ones that grew. Bill enjoyed following all his sons when they played high school sports, and watching many sports activities on the TV. Fishing and hunting with his sons and grandsons were also an important part of his life. He liked to travel and trips included visiting England, Hawaii, Alaska, and Canada, plus Oregon and Washington beaches. Bill attended the Mabton Grace Brethren Church, and was a member of the Mabton VFW post. He and Carolyn recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary.
Bill is survived by his wife, Carolyn, and 5 children: Margi and Gil Trevino of Grandview, WA; Bill, Jr. and Debbie Harris of Henderson, NV; Dan Harris of Pasco, WA; Marci and Tony Gonzalez of Grandview, WA; and Steve and Darlene Harris of Stanwood, WA . Fifteen grandchildren and 6 great grand-children also survive. He is also survived by two brothers, Bob and Barbara Harris of Chewelah, WA and Jim and Ann Harris of Grandview, WA; brother-in-law, John Trainor; his twin aunts, Rose Cunningham and Marge Castle; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Bill was preceded in death by his son, David Michael Harris, his parents and his sister, Bernice Trainor.
Services were held at the Sunnyside Grace Brethren Church. Prior to the memorial service a private graveside service will be held at the Mabton cemetery.
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