William Harris

William Vernon "Bill" Harris, 92, of China Spring, passed away Wednesday, Dec. 21, 2011, at his residence.

SERVICES
Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24, at OakCrest Funeral Home with Pastor Paul Krupicka officiating.

Burial will follow in China Spring Cemetery.

Visitation will be 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23, at OakCrest Funeral Home, 4520 Bosque Boulevard.

HIS LIFE
Bill was born June 20, 1919, in Mud Springs, Texas, to William B. and Eula Jane (Cooper) Harris. He married the love of his life, Iva Mae Offield, in the school house at Rogers, Texas, on Aug. 12, 1941.

During WWII, he proudly served in the Merchant Marines and Navy. Afterwards, he worked at General Tire in Waco until the early 1970s when he became a partner in Bunn & Harris Tire Company in downtown Waco. Later, he became the sole owner and operated the business as Bill Harris General Tire Co. until the 1990s when he retired.

Besides a successful business leader, Bill was a member of the Shriners, VFW, Masons, and American Legion. On the weekends, he enjoyed being a gentleman farmer who loved gardening. He also liked to travel with his wife on many trips together.

Bill was preceded in death by his brother, Melvin T. Harris; and a son, William Charles Harris.

SURVIVORS
Bill is survived by his wife of 69 years, Iva, of China Spring; sister-in-law, Ruby Harris of China Spring; grandchildren, William F. Harris and fiancee, Jamie Deich, of Richardson, and Rebekah Creamer and husband, Sam, of Houston; and daughter-in-law, Edna Howland and husband, David, of China Spring.

PALLBEARERS
Pallbearers will be Will Harris, Lloyd Priest, Kevin Wilkerson, David Howland, Sam Creamer, and Don Barrett.

SPECIAL THANKS
The family extends a special thanks to Providence Hospice, Kevin Wilkerson, Dora Perez, Lucy Harper, Donnis Morgan, and Monica Sutton.

MEMORIALS
Memorials may be made to Providence Hospice, 4830 Lakewood Drive Suite 2, Waco, TX 76710, or Meals on Wheels, 501 West Waco Drive, Waco 76707 TX.