William Edward Harper III

Bill was born on July 2, 1959 in Newton township, Middlesex county, Massachusetts to William Edward Harper II and Gloria Lee Tuttle.

Bill received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Millsaps College, where he was a member and officer of the Pi Kappa Alpha social fraternity, and a member of the men’s soccer team. Bill spent the majority of his working career with John Deere, most recently as a Quality Engineer. He enjoyed boating, jazz music, and classic pop culture films—including, but not limited to, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and The Blues Brothers. His heart was most at ease spending weeks at the family cottage and driving the boat on the Westport River in Westport, MA. Bill was always active in the life of his church. He served on the sound production team at Christ UMC Jackson, MS; was a Christ Care counselor with First UMC Gastonia; Cub Scouts Leader with Cokesbury UMC; and a Stephen’s Minister, Disciple Bible Study facilitator, Lay Reader, and prayer leader for the Shepherds Sunday School class with Apex UMC.

He is preceded in death by his father William Edward Harper II.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Susan Harper; children, Jennifer Higdon (Ryan) of Apex, NC, Andrew Harper (Catie) of Mebane, NC, and Megan Harper of Cary, NC; mother, Gloria Lee Tuttle MacDuffie (Bruce) of Westminster, VT; brother, David Harper of Brandon, MS; sister, Karen Davidson (David) of Castle Rock, CO. He also is remembered by his stepmother, Cynthia Parker (Hugh); and step siblings, John Sweeney, Jessica Sweeney Platt, Joe MacDuffie and Rob MacDuffie. He also leaves many nieces and nephews, as well as friends too numerous to count.

A service of death and resurrection will be held on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at 11:00 AM at Apex United Methodist Church in the sanctuary with a reception to follow in Crossroads.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be donated to Western Wake Crisis Ministries, ZOE Ministries or the Westport Point UMC pastor’s discretionary fund in Bill’s name.

Fond memories and expressions of condolences can be shared online at apexfuneral.net for the Harper family.