Dr. William Morgan Harrison Col. (Ret.)

William Morgan Harrison was born on July 12, 1931 in the depths of the Depression and the heights of the Panhandle Dust Bowl. At the age of 14, he and his brother, James Emmett Harrison, who was 1 and 1/2 years older, had the responsibility of farming their grandfather's 440-acre farm due to their grandfather's poor health and the scarcity of farm laborers during WW2.

Bill graduated when he was age 16 from Paducah High School. His first college experiences were not the typical freshman fun but occurred with both feet on the floor and the study lamp turned on. Despite never having a chemistry class, he dove into a college Chemistry major. At the close of his 3rd year, he felt his academic record was strong enough to apply to Baylor University College of Dentistry. This, at the age of 19.

Prior to his first dental college year he attended the University of Colorado for a summer class in Bacteriology. This is where he shared a microscope with a blue eyed, blond haired, Norwegian coed from St. Olaf College. He had found the love of his life, and they married 2 years later.

At the time of his graduation, the military needed dentists and physicians, and many professionals were being drafted. Bill volunteered and was sworn into the US Air Force with the rank of lieutenant. He opted later to receive a regular commission and make his career in the Air Force Dental service. After a 3-year assignment in Athens, Greece, his application was accepted for a 3-year prosthodontic residency training program. From Ohio State he received a post-doctoral degree. While on active duty he was a consultant to the Public Health Service in Anchorage Alaska. He later became the prosthodontist of several Air Force dental residencies.

He was promoted to the rank of "BIRD" Colonel while on active duty, and later retired with 20 years of service.

He moved to Yakima in 1975 to open a specialty dental practice. He would continue until he was 76, before retiring from over 50 years as a practitioner.

Bill joined Rotary in 1975 and has continued that membership, proud to be a part of the many wonderful projects Rotary has brought to Yakima and to other countries as well. He was a 32nd Degree Mason and served as Commander in the Scottish Rite. He was also a longtime member of Central Lutheran Church and he and Joan greatly valued the many friends they made there.

One of his greatest joys, though was floating in his 17-foot McKenzie River Boat. He thrilled at running the rapids of the Deschutes River where he fished by day and prepared fresh pasta for an Osso Buco dinner by night. Bill's interests were varied and many. He was a winemaker, brew master, gold-panner, gardener, baker, and prided himself on creating the perfect Parisian baguette.

He was enormously dedicated to his patients and the practice of quality dentistry but more than anything he was a family man. Nothing brought him more joy than his children and grandchildren. He was a regular at sporting events, drama productions, concerts, and anything else he could support them in. And they will always remember him for the "true southern gentleman" that he was. He regaled them with his fantastic stories of the old south, his 20 years of military service, and his travels around the world. All with his partner for life by his side. If he could have held on for 10 more days, they would have celebrated the 70th anniversary they were so looking forward to.

Bill is survived by his devoted wife Joan, his daughter, Martha Burns, his son, William B. Harrison (Heather), grandchildren Lindsay Gomberg (Jeremy), Blair Burns, Adam Harrison (Audrey), Evan Harrison and Morgan Harrison. He was preceded in death by his parents, William E. Harrison and Eunice Harrison and his brother James Harrison. Bill wanted to thank some very special people; Penny Fordyce, Mary Ann Hiebert and Kathy Fernandez for their years of dedicated and professional work in his office. They made his life immeasurably easier. And also special thanks to Dr. David Doornink for his many years of quality care and friendship.

A memorial service for William will be held Friday, August 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Central Lutheran Church, 1604 West Yakima Avenue, Yakima, WA 98902.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.keithandkeith.com for the Harrison family.