William Cyle Harris

William Cyle Harris, of Des Arc, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 after a courageous battle with ALS.  He was born on August 12, 1972 to Linda Overturf Wasson and Tommy Harris.  Cyle grew up in Fayetteville, AR and Springfield, MO.  He graduated from Kickapoo High School in 1990, and accepted a football scholarship to attend Ouachita Baptist University, following in the footsteps of grandfather O. J. Harris and uncle Cliff Harris.  Cyle was preceded in death by maternal grandparents Lorraine and Elmo Overturf of Des Arc and O. J. and Margaret Harris of Hot Springs.

Following a football injury, Cyle joined the U. S. Army serving in the 2-22 Infantry in the 10th Mountain Division in Fort Drum, NY from 1992 through 1995.  Tours of duty were Panama, California and Somalia during “Operation Restore Hope” and Haiti during “Operation Uphold Democracy.”  After his successful Army career and stints at the University of Arkansas and the U of A Rugby team, Cyle moved to the Little Rock area where he played for the Little Rock Rugby Club while training for the Sherwood Fire Department.  After ten years with the department and reaching the rank of Captain, Cyle faced the biggest challenge of his life when he was diagnosed with ALS.  By then a young husband to Michelle and father to Caroline and Walker, the family waged a 13 year battle against the fatal disease. After early retirement and moving to Des Arc to be near family, Cyle started coaching his children in all of their sports endeavors.  Coach Cyle also started the Pride of the Prairie Pee-Wee Football Camp which trained many young people in Des Arc and surrounding areas.  In that program, he was able to teach his son Walker the game of football.  Many hours were spent with Walker and friends going over film and talking strategy. Coach Cyle’s training guided Walker and teammates to the 5th and 6th Grade Delta Peewee Football championship after an undefeated season. He also spent countless hours following their sporting teams.  In December of 2020, Cyle was proud to see his daughter Caroline sign a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for the Ouachita Baptist University Lady Tigers.

Cyle is survived by his loving wife and caregiver Michelle Livesay Harris, his daughter Caroline Marie Harris, and son William Walker Harris, all of Des Arc.  He leaves behind his mother and stepfather Linda Overturf (Dick) Wasson of Little Rock, father and stepmother Tommy (Mary) Harris of Tyler, TX, sister Joy Wasson (Reggie Grant) of NLR, nephews Fisher and Felix DeClerk, and mother-in-law Nina Lyn Livesay of Des Arc along with many family members and friends.

Visitation will be on Friday, July 30 from 6 to 8 pm at Garth Funeral Home, 221 Main Street, Des Arc, AR 72040.  Funeral services with Pastor Jonathan Bevil officiating will be held on Saturday, July 31 at 11:00 am at the First United Methodist Church Christian Life Center, 605 Erwin Street, Des Arc.  Burial will follow at Lakeside Cemetery.

Serving as pallbearers are Chris Donahue, Brad Fox, Davey Mitchell, Jim Miners, Pat Kapper, Chad Avants, and Eddie Phillips along with a Fire Department Color Guard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the ALS Association Arkansas Chapter, First United Methodist Church of Des Arc, or the Des Arc High School Booster Club.  A special thank you to Arkansas Hospice for their loving care given to Cyle.