William E. Harris

William Elbert Harris, Jr. (known affectionately as W.E. and Bill) was born in Atlanta and raised in the beautiful green hills of Greene County, Tennessee. Always a responsible, hard-working child, Bill was the eldest of four children of the late Verna Shelton Harris and W.E. Harris, Sr.

Bill was the beloved husband of Adeline Neuhart Harris for 65 years. Beloved father of Ronald Harris, Sharman Nichols, and Sherrilyn Harris-Wells (Randy). Grandfather of Bryan Harris, Bradley Harris (Sara), and Janay Brown (Cameron). Great-grandfather of Connor Brown.

Bill leaves behind his dear sisters June Laughlin and Betty Reaves, and brothers-in-law Gene Reaves, Francis Neuhart (Jan), Wilbert Neuhart, and Harry Kastens. Many other relatives and friends survive Bill throughout Tennessee, the Carolinas, Georgia, Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska. Bill was preceded in death by his parents and by his brother, James.

Raised in the Christian faith by his mother, Bill remained a faithful church member throughout his life and was regular in prayer.

Devoted to God, family, and country, Bill served honorably as a Staff Sergeant in the Army during World War II, fighting in the Philippines and the islands off the coast of Japan.

During most of his adult life, Bill lived in the Denver area and was active in the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod, serving as a Sunday School Superintendant, Usher, Board Member, Financial Secretary, and Committee Chair for many years. A Boy Scout in his youth, he later served as a Boy Scout Leader for a troop at his church.

It was Bill’s fervent desire to make his entire family proud of him. He lived a respectable, diligent life in a God-fearing way. He was committed to his career in quality control, and took great pride in his successes at work, ultimately assuming responsibility for quality control at two equipment manufacturing plants simultaneously. During the 1970s and 80s, Bill traveled the country to teach subcontractors how to improve their manufacturing processes.

Bill greatly enjoyed his responsibilities as a husband and father. When his three children became old enough to understand the sacrifices that every good parent makes, Bill would always say, “It was never a sacrifice. We loved you children and loved being your parents.”

A man of strong convictions and strong opinions, Bill took delight in his extended family and friends. He enjoyed being outdoors and loved reminiscing about favorite people and places. When he was happy, his whole face lit up; his pale blue eyes twinkled; and his elation quickly spread to everyone around him.

Assisted by caring friends such as Hugh Strong, Bill enjoyed and maintained his home in Westminster, Colorado, until 6 weeks before his passing. In mid-March, he joined Adeline at Colorado Lutheran Home, to regain his strength after an illness. His desire was to recover, to take walks through the neighborhood park again, and to sit outside in the beauty of nature. God had other plans for Bill, and He moved Bill from Colorado Lutheran Home to his eternal home in heaven on May 3rd.

Perhaps Bill’s greatest success in this life was in his devotion to Adeline, whom he cherished and cared for during their 65 years of marriage. Through thick and thin, in sickness and in health, he loved Adeline and attended to her needs. Their devotion to one another serves as a splendid example of faithfulness and love.

Visitation will be from 4-7pm on Mon. at Crown Hill Mortuary. Bill's service will be at 11:00am on Tues. at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church, 6995 W. 120th Ave, Broomfield, CO 80020. Private burial at Ft. Logan on Wed. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Beautiful

Savior Lutheran Church or to the American Heart Association, 1280 South Parker Road, Denver, CO 80231-2100

Condolences may be offered at www.CrownHillFuneral.com