Willie B. Harrison

I have fought a good fight.

I have finished my course.

I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy 4:7

Willie B. Harrison peacefully departed from his earthly home on March 23rd, 2017 to be with our Lord.

He was born in 1930 on the 30th of June to Mamie (Gregg) and Willie B. Harrison, Sr., in Austin, Texas. As a child, he was baptized in the Colorado River and was a member of the old David Chapel Baptist Church on 1205 Chestnut St. An active member for many years, he later joined Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church to be close to home, family, and friends.

Willie attended Rosewood Elementary, Kealing Junior High, and was a proud football running back at the old L.C. Anderson High School, Class of 1949. In that same year, he married his high school sweetheart, Joyce Ree Lee, on the 23rd of April in Georgetown, Texas. He and the love of his life were united for thirty five years and were blessed with two children, Ronald and Connie Harrison.

Willie was instrumental in establishing an elite social group named the Esquire Club of Austin. They coordinated special events in the community and purchased land near Decker Lake for activities. He was the last living Esquire. Bubboy also helped establish the Gregg Family Reunion and worked diligently to make it a success. His employment life was extensive, but he was proud to retire on his 50th birthday from the Texas Highway Department after thirty years. He was an avid Anderson Yellow Jackets and Dallas Cowboys football fan. Bubboy is known in Austin and throughout Central Texas for his bartending/catering services, where he made many friends and acquaintances. He never met a stranger. Forever and always personable.

In 2013, he proudly received the merited Mt. Zion's "Men of Excellence" award. He was admired by some, loved by many, and will be missed for an eternity. We thank God for his life and his legacy.

Willie is preceded in death by his parents; step-father, Arthur Parks; his beloved wife, Joyce Harrison and his sister, Emmarine Harrison Johnson. To cherish his memories are his children, Ronald Harrison and Connie Spears (Emmitt); Sister-in-Law, Bertha Williams; four grandchildren: Kimberlee Spears, Emmitt Spears, III (Lakesha), Natalee Fairley (Michael), Jordan Spears (Danielle); four great-grandchildren; a special niece, Gaylee Horton and a host of extended family and friends.

A very special THANK YOU to son, Ronald, for his dedication, sacrifice and love for the "coolest man" in East Austin.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 6:00-8:00pm, Wednesday, the 29th of March at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 N. Lamar Blvd. Austin TX 78752.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 11:00am in the morning, Thursday, the 30th of March at Mt Zion Baptist Church, 2938 E 13th St, Austin, TX 78702. Interment will follow in Evergreen Cemetery, 3304 E 12th St, Austin, TX 78721.