Willard Harris

Mr. Willard J. Harris, age 92, of Wartburg, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, October 14, 2024. Willard was born in Gatliff, Kentucky and grew up in Fork Mountain, Tennessee, a now abandoned coal mining town. He moved to Wartburg with his older sister Kate to attend school at Central High School. Willard was a longtime member of Elizabeth Baptist Church. He proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the ship USS Leyte. He went on to become a registered technician at the Ford Motor Company, and later retired from Martin Marietta at Y-12 National Security Complex after working there for 18 years. Willard loved talking to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren about his childhood growing up in Fork Mountain and took them on visits to see the former coal mining community. He enjoyed showing them his Scrip coins that were used to buy goods in the general store there. Willard loved spending time with his family, especially his wife Geraldine of over 60 years. He was often working on home improvement projects with Geraldine and taking their son Barry camping. Willard was preceded in death by his wife Geraldine, his sons, Barry and Dennis Michael Harris, parents Robert and Mollie Harris, and siblings Leo, Cecil, Audrey, Arthur, John, Jewell, Virginia, Robert Jr., and Edith.

Willard is survived by grandson David Harris and wife Heather, grandson Stephen Harris and wife Lorra, great-grandson Owen, great-granddaughters Cheyenne and Zoe. Special friends include Buster and Margaret Armes, Gerald and Frances Whaley, RB Human, and Becky Hamby who he loved to visit at Smart Bank.

Graveside services with military honors will be held at Elizabeth Baptist Church on Thursday, October 17th at 10:30 am with Bro. Buster Armes officiating. 

Schubert Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Mr. Willard J. Harris.