William Bryant "W.B." Harris

Graveside services for William Bryant “W.B.” Harris, 85, of Lufkin will be held Sunday, April 12, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. in the Tom Havard Cemetery with Brother Cary Modisett officiating.

W.B. Harris was born in Angelina County, Texas in the community of Belview September 15, 1929, and passed away Thursday, April 9, 2015 in Lufkin, Texas. He was the third child born to Chester Isaac Harris (b1901 d1984) and Delia Belle (Havard) Harris (b1906 d1929). When he was 3 months old his mother Delia died from pneumonia at the age of 23. That is how W.B. came to be raised by Charlie Cason Havard and Alpha Omega (Morris) Havard. They were his biological aunt and uncle but were always considered his parents.

W.B. attended school in Zavalla and was a well known basketball player. He either walked or rode a horse to school and back until the bus started running a route down to the Havard farm. He finished the 10th grade and at 16, left to go into the U.S. Army. W.B. was a PFC in the Army (1947-1948) and in that time traveled from Fort Ord in California for basic training to Camp Kilmer in New Jersey, working as a truck driver and a baggage man. During his last six months he worked an Honor Guard detail that escorted soldiers to their final resting places. Upon his discharge he returned to East Texas.

W.B. went on to get his G.E.D. and under the G.I. Bill he attended Houston Technical College for a six months course to learn Railway Telegraphy Station Agency. He began working for Southern Pacific Railroad in 1949 and retired 37 years later. During that time he worked in Houston, Galveston, Beaumont, Zavalla and Lufkin Depots. After his retirement from Southern Pacific, he began a second career in Law Enforcement. He had numerous hours of training as a Texas Peace Officer/Law Enforcement Officer, working at various agencies in Angelina County including, Angelina Co. Sheriff’s Office, Huntington Police Department, Angelina Co. Constable Pct. 3 as well as Diboll Police Dept. He achieved the highest level of certification in law enforcement – Master Peace Officer, as well as Expert Marksman. Continuing his education was very important to him and his proudest achievement was receiving his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Angelina College in 2009.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Opal Lee (Miller) Harris of Lufkin; children, Jerry Lynn and wife Vicki Harris of Sun City; Charlie Raymond and wife Peggy Harris of Diboll, Chester Damon and wife Terri Harris of Kerrville, Juanita Elaine Harris and JoVina Harris, both of Lufkin; grandchildren, John Harris, Christina Rich, Joel Perritte, Jody Perritte, Megan Harris, Sarah Harris, Jason Harris, Stephanie Davis, Brandon Harris, Kathryn Dover, and Cason Harris; and 16 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Janis Ann (Harris) Perritte.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Joseph House, P.O. Box 150554, Lufkin, Texas 75915.

The family will welcome friends and loved ones from 12:00 noon to 2:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at Carroway Funeral Home.

Memories and condolences may be added at www.carrowayfuneralhome.com.

Carroway Funeral Home, Lufkin, directors.