It is with much grief and sorrow that we share the news of the passing of someone so extraordinary that our lives will never be the same. On March 14, 2022, Willard Vernon Harris, Jr. "Bronco" died peacefully at his home. He was surrounded by his loving wife, children, nephew, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Bill Harris and his twin brother, Benjamin C. Harris, were born October 19, 1933 in Nampa, Idaho to Charlotte G. Harris, n‚ Perry, and Willard V. Harris. As Bill always said, he was born at home so that he could be close to his mother. In 1938, Bill's family moved to Seattle, Washington and then settled in Long Beach, California where he attended Jordan High School. He went on to attend Whittier College where he studied Chemistry, ran on the track team, and played football for the Whittier Poets with legendary Coach George Allen. Bill was drafted by the Baltimore Colts and received a Fellowship from the Atomic Energy Commission to attend college in Ames, Iowa. These were great honors, but his strong values and dedication to family kept him home when his father asked that he and his brother Ben join the family business, Harris Fence Company. He and Ben partnered on several business ventures, including Rampart General, Future Communities, and Ship's Concrete.
In 1974, Bill met and married the love of his life, Harriet, integrating a family of 7 children. They lived a dream life. They took family vacations that led them around the world, traveled with friends, and embarked on journeys that enriched their lives and the lives of others. Some of their most memorable trips were to Tanzania, where they supported the clean water and education programs they helped create (including FAME Africa, Tanzanian Children's Fund, and Global Partners). Bill and Harriet also teamed up in business, which led to developing a charitable foundation. They instilled in their family the benefit of giving - so that their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren could carry on their legacy. Bill's friendship with Coach George Allen blossomed through the years, leading the Allen and Harris families to blend into a large extended family. They partnered in the Chicago Blitz, a USFL football team. George Allen (wife Susan), Greg Allen (wife Christina), Bruce Allen (wife Kiersten), and Jennifer Allen remain integral parts of the Harris family.
Bill is survived by his wife, Harriet Harris, their seven children, Willard Porter Harris (wife Sheila), Mary Lynne Behrens (Yuuta Behrens), Carole Anne Harris (partner Kauhi Ho'okano), Warren G. Taylor (wife Jennifer), Christopher J. Taylor (wife Kathy), James Michael Harris (wife Tamera), Lisabeth Ellin Marziello (husband Joseph Robert), 16 grandchildren and their spouses/partners, and 16 great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family requests a donation to UCI MIND - an organization that provides valuable research toward finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia.
