William Ray Harris, Sr.
Dec 18, 1928 – Nov 08, 2013
HARRIS, William Ray, 84, of Gum Spring, went to be with the Lord on Friday, November 8, 2013. Born in Louisa County, he was the son of the late Richard E. Harris and Thelma I. Harris. He was preceded in death by his son, William R. Harris, Jr.; his brother, Elmer W. Harris; and his sister, Audrey H. Henley. He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Jean W. Harris; two children, Michael W. Harris (Diane) and Sandra H. Hundley (Otis); four grandchildren, Austin R. Harris, Clayton M. Harris, Matthew W. Harris, and Joshua J. Spain (Kristen); one great grandson, William W. Spain; his sister, Hazel L. Johnson; and his brother, Richard G. Harris.Mr. Harris was President of Harris Heating and Plumbing Co., Inc., a Hanover-based mechanical contracting firm, and was an accomplished residential developer and builder in Central Virginia. He served on the Board of Directors of F&M National Corp., now BB&T Corp., and most recently was a Founding Director of Peoples Bank of Virginia. Mr. Harris loved life and cared deeply for his family, friends and neighbors. He was a lifelong farmer and felt most at home in the fields of Louisa and Hanover Counties, and he bred and raced thoroughbred horses across the East Coast for more than 50 years. Mr. Harris was a generous, selfless and caring man of great integrity, touching the lives of many people he encountered throughout his long life. He was a hard worker, a fair and honest businessman, and a respected leader in his community. He was a devout Christian and a dedicated member of Gum Spring United Methodist Church, where he was influential in the recent construction of the church’s new home.The family will receive friends in celebration of his life from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, November 10, 2013 at Gum Spring United Methodist Church, 191 Cross County Road, Gum Spring, VA 23065. A memorial service will be held on Monday, November 11, 2013 at 2 p.m.In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial contribution to Gum Spring United Methodist Church Building Fund or Holly Grove Volunteer Rescue Squad.;
Jean, Sandy, Mike, words cannot express my sorrow at your loss. My family sends their love and prayers. We all thought the world of Bill,
You have our sympathy and prayers for your loss.
Mike, Jean and Sandy, My thoughts go out to you today for the loss of Bill. He was a kind and gentle man who will be missed greatly. Paul and I always thought the world of Bill. If I can offer one thing, it would be to always remember the good times. God bless.
To Jean, my deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. I always enjoyed the times at Colonial Downs on Broad Street when you and Mr. Harris would be there to watch your horses run. Mr. Harris always had a love for people and horses and I always enjoyed your company. Mr. Harris will be missed but I will always remember those few precious times we shared.
To the Harris family, so sorry for your loss, I have fond memories of Billy and Mike coming to the Junction to eat breakfast or sometimes lunch when my husband and I came there almost everyday and Billy was always so pleasant and friendly to everyone there. I grew up in their in the neighborhood and can remember always nothing but good things said about him and what a great man, husband, father and friend to all he knew and who knew him. Keep all those wonderful memories in your heart and he will always be with you. God Bless!
We just wanted to say that we are very sorry for your loss.We really enjoyed serving Mr. And Mrs.Harris . We are glad that we got to meet such a wonderful, generous and caring person.Sencerely Cracker Barrel team.