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William Harris Obituary
Petersburg, Ind.
Rev. William Owen Harris, 85, passed away Saturday, March 21, 2015 in Petersburg, Ind. Bill was born October 9, 1929 on Mullen Hill in Petersburg to Owen D. Harris and Clara Heldt Harris.
He served as a Presbyterian minister graduating from Davidson College (1951) and Princeton Theological Seminary with a Masters in Theology and Divinity. Bill first served as a chaplain in the Navy during the Korean War, 1954 to 1957. He served a squadron of eight destroyers in the Pacific Fleet. His next assignment was at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church in Kensington, Md. Bill later was the Presbyterian minister in St. Petersburg, Fla.; Philadelphia, Penn., and Washington, D.C. From 1983 to 1988 William was the History and Genealogy Division Director at the Indiana State Library in Indianapolis, Ind., after receiving a Masters in Library Science at Indiana University.
Bill traveled extensively, visiting Cuba, Germany, Japan, Formosa, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Scotland, England, Italy, and the Holy Land. During the summer of 1961 he spent 10 weeks with the Iona Community, Isle of Iona, Scotland.
For the last 15 years of his ministry he served as the head archivist of the rare books library at the Princeton Seminary. He often preached in the Princeton, N.J. area.
After retirement, Bill came home to his family in Petersburg, Ind.
William was preceded in death by his parents, Owen "Stiffy" and Clara Harris; and a brother, Richard "Dick" Harris. He is survived by a brother, Robert "Bob" Harris and his wife, Sondra, of Petersburg, Ind. Bill also leaves behind three nieces, Lisa Harris, Clara (David) Henson and Gretchen (Bobby Walters) Harris, all of Petersburg, Ind. Also surviving are two great nephews, Nick Henson and Gabriel Walters; a great-niece, Ali Henson; and a great-great-niece, Evie Sweet.
Funeral services will be Thursday, March 26, 2015 at 1 p.m. EST at Harris Funeral Home in Petersburg, Ind. Burial will immediately follow at Walnut Hills Cemetery with military honors by V.F.W. Post #3587. Visitation will be Wednesday, March 25, 2015 from 4 to 7 p.m. with a Masonic Service at 6 p.m. by Pike Masonic Lodge #121.
William was very proud of serving the church and grateful for his many friends.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for William Harris
3 Entries
Donna Potts
March 26, 2015
Bill was my colleague at the Princeton Seminary Libraries. I will always remember his extraordinary talent for telling a story. One day my son was with me at work and we visited Bill in Special Collections. Bill told the story of the Battle of Princeton - unparalleled to any history lesson my son ever learned in class. Kyle never forgot any of the details although a few may have been embellished just a bit. :)
Bill also never missed the fried oyster and chicken salad supper at my church each year. He would always bring friends and his own cocktail sauce!
I have these wonderful memories of him and the pleasure knowing him.
Paul Powell
March 24, 2015
I was privileged to work with Bill in the Archives and Special Collections dept. at Princeton Seminary. He was a great supporter of my work in cataloging the collection which he worked so arduously to bring together under one roof. His knowledge of US and Presbyterian history was massive. He will sadly missed among his many colleagues and friends.
Terry Shoultz
March 24, 2015
Sorry to hear of Bill s death. I love talking to him. He was a very sweet and smart man. Heaven gained an beautiful angel.
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