William MacIver "Bill" Harkness

William MacIver "Bill" Harkness Longtime Los Gatos resident, William MacIver "Bill" Harkness, 86, died in Los Gatos on Saturday, January 26. Bill was born on December 7, 1921, in Brookline, Massachusetts. He graduated from Framingham High School and continued his education at Wentworth Institute of Technology in Boston where he earned a degree in mechanical engineering in 1942. Bill was hired immediately after graduation by Norton Company of Worcester, Massachusetts where he worked for four months before enlisting in the Navy. During World War II, Bill served as an aviation machinist until his discharge in March, 1946. Bill returned to work at Norton Company, and married high school sweetheart Marion Lowe on June 15, 1946. They made their home in Westboro, Massachusetts and were blessed with four children. In 1960, Bill was transferred to Norton Company's Santa Clara, California site, and he and his family made their home in Los Gatos. Bill served as Norton Company's Chief Engineer until his retirement in June, 1982. Throughout his lifetime, Bill was an avid fisherman, hunter, camper, square dancer, and traveler. He was an active member of the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, Santa Clara County Boy Scouts, and Seniors in Retirement. His oldest son, William Harkness, of Chico, preceded Bill in death. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Marion Harkness, of Los Gatos; daughter, Jane Herberich, of San Jose; two sons, Dana Harkness, of San Jose, and Alan Harkness, of Capistrano Beach; and eight grand children. A memorial service in celebration of Bill's life will be held at the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos on Saturday, February 16, at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, donations in Bill's memory may be made to the Presbyterian Church of Los Gatos, 16575 Shannon Road, Los Gatos, CA 95032 or Boy Scout Troop #212, c/o Dana Harkness, 362 Spode Way, San Jose, CA 95123.