He was born Nov. 8, 1933 in Canton, IL to Paul and Marie (Clifford) Harrison.
Bill graduated from Lewistown High School in 1951 and received his Bachelor of Science degree in agriculture from the University of Illinois in 1955. He enlisted in the United States Navy and served aboard the USS Uvalde, aka 88, in the Pacific.
Bill and Helen met while attending the University of Illinois and were married Feb. 2, 1957 in Carmel by the Sea, California while Bill was in the Navy.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, two sons: Steve Harrison of East Peoria, Mark (Georgia) Harrison of Hinsdale, IL, three granddaughters: Graylin, attending Stanford University, pursuing her Doctorate in Art History, Hadley, living in Manhattan, NY working at Accenture, and Greer, just graduated from Colgate University in upstate New York and also working in Manhattan. Also surviving is a very special niece, Dorothy Kite, her husband Ken and their adult children and families Kristen and Kenneth. Bill and Helen always referred to Dorothy as the daughter they never had and she enjoyed a very special place in their family.
When Steve and Mark became active in East Peoria little league baseball, Bill was delighted to coach their teams. The “Mighty Mits” were one of his favorite teams and the guys still remember him as their coach.
He was a faithful member of the Forrest Hill United Methodist Church for over 50 years. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 2 out of Peoria. Bill always wanted to leave people with a laugh or a chuckle to improve their day and most often succeeded. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Bill worked at the Peoria Union Stockyards as an independent cattle buyer and was President of the Harrison Cattle Company for over 20 years. After retiring he began a new career as a Sales Representative for Hummer Trucking Company of Williamsburg, Iowa. He retired from that career in 2004.
Bill enjoyed watching football, college basketball, tailgating at the U of I football games, and following the Chicago Cubs on TV. He played golf and later in life, tennis.
The Harrison’s enjoyed traveling after they both retired. For over 20 years they wintered in The Villages in Florida. They traveled to the British Isles, Europe, Hawaii, and took many cruises. Two very favorite trips were attending the 1986 British Open at Turnberry, Scotland and a European river cruise celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
The family would like to thank the excellent care Bill received on the 5th floor cardiac unit and the great home care nurses and the hospice care he received.
Visitation will be Sunday, June 17, 2018 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Remmert Funeral Home in East Peoria. Funeral services will be Monday, June 18, 2018 at 11 a.m. at the Forrest Hill United Methodist Church in Peoria. Additional visitation will be one hour prior to the services on Monday at the church.
Burial will be in McNeil Cemetery in Lewistown with Military honors.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Chaddock Children's Foundation 205 S. 24th St. Quincy, IL 62301.
You may view Bill’s obituary online at www.remmertfuneralhome.com
