William "Junior" Oliver Harris

Junior was born in Elkton, Maryland, on March 5, 1935, and was raised by his great-aunt. When he was 14, he moved to Northern Virginia. He graduated from Manassas Regional High School, attended Howard University and then joined the US Army. After being honorably discharged, he worked as a Department of Army civilian at Fort Belvoir for 30 years. After retiring, he returned to work as a Fairfax County school crossing guard, serving for more than 13 years. Junior thoroughly enjoyed his life. He loved music, playing cards, children, bowling, fishing, food, Redskins, family, travel, talking, “sweats” and God. He was a man of faith and a girl dad.

Junior is preceded in death by his infant son, William Phillip Harris; his great aunt Josephine Boddy, his former mother-in-law, Sarah Ragland; and his in-laws, Gladys and Steve Yawornicky.

He is survived by his wife, Karen Yawornicky Harris; his daughters, Cora Elizabeth Harris and Sarah Marjorie Harris; his grandchildren, Tamira Arnet Gatlin and Anthony Tyrese Jacobs; his great granddaughter, Payton Rose Pearson; in-laws, Kathryn & Jerry Cooper and Mark & Vicki Yawornicky; niece, Chelsea Cooper Diaz (Ramses); great nephew, Steven Diaz; and a host of other family members and friends.

Pallbearers will be family and friends.

A visitation for Junior will be held Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Demaine Funeral Home, 5308 Backlick Road, Springfield, VA 22151.

A second visitation will take place on Wednesday, March 13, 2024, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, also at Demaine Funeral Home. After visitation, funeral services will be held from 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM with Todd Tennant of Yorkshire Freewill Baptist Church in Manassas, VA, officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Comfort Cemetery, 6600 South Kings Highway, Alexandria, VA 22306.

The family wishes to extend special thanks to Dr. Soren Caffey and his staff as well as the following exceptional professionals at Inova Mount Vernon Hospital: Enoris, Ana, Nolvia, Gabriel, Dawn, Mo, Yvette, Gabby, Moses, Theresa, Ranjeeta, Dr. Asmeret Girma and Dr. Hussain Dhanani.

Donations may be made to the charity of your choice. If you choose to send flowers, please, no lilies.

If you have photos that include Junior that you would like to share on his visitation slideshow, please email them to: [email protected]