William Harris

William (Bill) Lora Harris, 93, passed away Saturday, September 11, 2010 with his family by his side at Torrance Memorial Hospital. A native Californian, Bill was born June 4, 1917 in Los Angeles. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II in the European theater; he often spoke of the people and places he knew during his tour of duty. Upon returning from service, he was a salesman and a local businessman in Westchester. Always wanting to be productive, he continued to work well into his mid-70s. Bill built the family's Manhattan Beach home in 1963. The house and its yard were considered the neighborhood "jewel". His passion was gardening; Bill and his wife, Frances, grew flowers and vegetables year-round, sharing the bounty with family and friends. Bill was constantly in the yard taking care of the house and the grounds; he always had time to stop and chat with neighbors and friends that stopped by. Bill is survived by Frances, his wife of 73 years; his son, Bill Harris of Hermosa Beach; three grandchildren and one great-grandchild, all of Texas. He was predeceased by his daughter, Karen Harris Rainer, in 1994. Funeral service is Saturday, September 25, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at American Martyrs Church, Manhattan Beach, CA and inurnment with military honors will take place on Monday, September 27, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in Riverside National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation in Bill's name to support either of these veterans' organizations: New Directions, www.newdirectionsinc.org; or Villages at Cabrillo VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic, ww.longbeach.va.gov/visitors/cabrillo.asp. Please sign the guestbook at www.dailybreeze.com/obits. Please go to the mortuary's website, www.LAfuneral.com to send the family messages, share memories, or to obtain directions to the services.