William Michael "Mike" Harris

William Michael “Mike” Harris, age 79, of Smiths Station, Alabama, passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at UAB Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, after a long and courageous battle with heart disease, surrounded by his loving son and daughter.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 noon on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Lakewood Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL, with Rev. M. R. Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow at Ft. Mitchell National Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon (EST) prior to the service at the church.

Mr. Harris was born on February 17, 1946, in Columbus, Georgia, the son of the late L. B. Harris and Frances Deal Harris. He proudly served his country in the United States Army. Following his military service, he returned to school to become a licensed HVAC technician. Although he later began a long and dedicated career in Civil Service at Fort Benning, where he worked for more than 40 years until his retirement, he continued to operate his HVAC business on the side to ensure that his family always had everything they needed.

Mike greatly enjoyed spending time with his family and being outdoors, especially hunting, fishing, and competitive archery. In his younger years, he was an excellent water skier and took great pride in teaching many friends and family members how to ski behind his boat in front of his cabin on Lake Oliver. He volunteered for many years coaching local youth baseball and softball teams and was a dedicated member of a competitive archery team, traveling throughout the region to compete in tournaments. He was also a former member of the Masons and a longtime, faithful member of Lakewood Baptist Church.

Mike was also known as the ultimate handyman. There was very little he could not fix, repair, or build with his own two hands. This was perhaps best demonstrated in the home he personally built for himself and his wife of 55 years—a place crafted with care, skill, and pride, and one they enjoyed together throughout their retirement.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Harris was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Pamela Strength Harris, and his daughter, Allison Hightower.

He is survived by his children, Jason Harris of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and Cortney Haywood (T.J.) of Dothan, Alabama; his son-in-law, Chad Hightower of Columbus, Georgia; and seven grandchildren: Alexandria Hightower Oehrlein (Andy), Ryan Harris, Austin Hightower, Riley Harris, Caroline Harris, Will Haywood, and Emmie Haywood. He is also survived by his sisters, Virginia “Ginny” Harris Houlditch (Art) and Victoria “Vickey” Harris Broderick (Bill), along with numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations in memory of Mike Harris to Lakewood Baptist Church, 4011 Lakewood Dr., Phenix City, AL 36867.