Billy Jackson Harris

Billy (“Bill”) Jackson Harris, 80, of Muskegon, Michigan and Singer Island, Florida, passed away on Friday, February 18, 2022 at Hospice in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida after a brave, year-long battle with pancreatic cancer. Bill was surrounded by the comfort and care of his loving family. Everyone knew Bill to be a devoted family man, a kind-hearted soul, a generous provider, and a true southern gentleman.

Bill grew up on a large farm in Rock Hill, South Carolina. He loved the outdoors and anything mechanical. He learned to drive the tractor and the farm truck at a very young age. His father taught him to repair equipment, and when he was a young adult he replaced an entire car engine by himself. It was no surprise when he went on to major in mechanical engineering at Clemson University (1962) and then had a successful career in the aircraft and automotive industry.

He began his career at Pratt & Whitney Aircraft in Jupiter, Florida, where he worked on the Apollo rocket to the moon program and the SR-71 Blackbird. He was called to active duty and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army during the Cuban Missile Crisis. The hard work and perseverance he learned growing up on a farm and in the military served him well in his career.

After receiving his MBA, he worked for several companies in North Carolina and then in Michigan, including Teledyne Continental Motors in Muskegon, before starting his own consulting company, Venture Management Services, in Troy. His business connected the needs of the military with defense original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who could successfully fulfill those requirements. He was passionate in his attempts to provide the U.S. soldiers with the latest technology available. He was fortunate to have Brigadier General Roger B. Burrows (Retired) as his business partner and wonderful friend.

Bill has been a member of Central United Methodist Church in Muskegon for many years. In his youth, he was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church in Rock Hill, where he was active in the youth group and Boy Scouts and earned his Eagle Scout badge.

Bill passed away just two days before his 81st birthday. He was born on February 20, 1941 in Salisbury, North Carolina. He is survived by his devoted and loving wife of 61 years, Barbara McSwain Harris. Bill and Barbara were both graduates of Rock High High School (1958) and were high school sweethearts. He is also survived by three grown children: Katherine Teresa Harris Dark, Marie Harris Smith (Bryant Smith), and Brian Jackson Harris; two grandchildren, Harrison Chase Smith (Mikaella) and Hunter Jackson Smith; a sister, Judy Harris Browder; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, William Jackson (“WJ”) Harris and Annie Frances Tallant Harris; a sister, Martha Jean Harris Simril, and a nephew, Mark (“Marc”) Davis Simril.

A memorial service and luncheon will be held on Saturday, June 25, 2022, 11AM-2PM, at the Muskegon Country Club in Muskegon, MI. A memorial service and burial of ashes will be held this fall at Eastview Baptist Church in Rock Hill, SC with details to follow. In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the National Pancreas Foundation (pancreasfoundation.org).

Many thanks from the Harris Family to Howard-Quattlebaum Funeral Home in North Palm Beach, Florida for assisting with final arrangements.