Bill Harris

Bill Harris

EAST CARBON - On January 25th, 2026, five days after his 96th birthday, William Ray "Bill" Harris, rounded third base and crossed home plate, completing his mortal stewardship. He spent the day with his family until it was his appointed time. His loving, devoted wife of 71 years, Frances, sat by his side holding his hand until the final inning.

Bill was born in Columbia, Utah on January 19th, 1930. He was a proud lifelong resident of Carbon County. He graduated from Carbon High School in 1948. After his high school years, he attended Carbon College in 1951 where he pursued his lifelong love of baseball. He was a trusty left-handed pitcher with a wicked natural curve ball. While attending Carbon College he met Vera Frances Duffy of Helper, Utah and the lifelong romance was on.

After serving his country in the US Army from September of 1951 to September of 1953, he transferred to the Army reserves, eventually being honorably discharged on October 2nd of 1959. A highlight from his military years was playing on the Fort Eustis VA Army baseball team. He played with two individuals who would later play professionally: Willie Mays and Vernon Law. After returning home from active duty, he continued to court Frances. They were married in the Manti Utah Temple on March 12th,1954.

Bill is survived by his one and only true love, Vera Frances Harris, sons Mark (JaLee) Harris of South Jordan, Utah and Carl (Shannon) Harris of Star Valley, Wyoming; his daughters, Kaye (Bill) Baker, of Murray, Utah, Sue (Scott) Widdison of Meridian Idaho, and his younger brother Kenneth (Freda) Harris of Tooele, Utah. Bill was preceded in death by his parents WiIliam George and Eva LaReene Harris, and his eldest son Brian Reid Harris. Bill and Frances are the proud grandparents of 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Bill loved the great outdoors where he could fish, hunt, camp, chase a coyote now and again, look for arrowheads, or just take a ride on his four-wheeler. If you knew Bill you were aware that his fly-tying skills were second to none and he loved to share his final product with his family, friends, and others that he crossed paths with. Many of his physicians and other healthcare caregivers were often the recipients of his flies, most of them hand-delivered in empty prescription pill bottles.

Bill and Frances are devoted members of the East Carbon community. Bill worked for the Carbon County Railway for 37 years. He also took up driving buses for the Carbon County School District from 1973 until his retirement in 1999. At East Carbon Community Daze in 2024, Bill and Frances were recognized with the inaugural Honorary Citizens Award for a lifetime of community service in a volunteer capacity.

A viewing will be held at Mitchell Funeral Home, 233 East Main in Price, Utah the evening of Friday, January 30th, 2026 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Services will be conducted on Saturday, January 31st, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the East Carbon LDS Chapel where a viewing will be held from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. the morning of the service. Interment will be in the Cliffview Cemetery in Price, Utah.

Arrangements entrusted to Mitchell Funeral Home of Price and Huntington where friends and family are always welcome daily and may share memories of Bill online at www.mitchellfuneralhome.net