William Mortimer Harrison Jr.

William Mortimer Harrison, Jr., Family Patriarch, died on September 11, 2023, age 101, at his home in Williamsburg, VA. He is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Betty Parlett Nicholson Harrison; daughter, Susan Carter Harrison Barshis and son-in-law, Darr Edward Barshis, of Williamsburg; granddaughter, Tara, and three great-grandchildren, Curren, Eli and Bridget. He is also survived by many treasured friends, nieces and nephews.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Katharine Isabel Parker Harrison and William Mortimer Harrison, Sr.; brother, Surry Parker Harrison (Marie Stevens Harrison) of Newport News, VA and sister, Katharine Isabel Strachan Harrison Kinnier (John Tanner Kinnier) of Williamsburg, VA.

Bill grew up roaming the fields and waterways of Hampton Roads. He played football for Newport News High School (Class of 1941) and graduated as Salutatorian. A winning essay earned him a 6-week trip to Scandinavia and the New York World’s Fair in 1939. He entered The College of William and Mary in 1941. At the outbreak of World War II, he transferred to Duke University as part of the V-12 Navy College Training program and was commissioned 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was honored to serve with the U.S. Marines in both WWII and the Korean Conflict. Following the war, he returned to William and Mary and graduated with a degree in Political Science.

In 1950 he married Betty and they lived in Blacksburg, VA while Bill studied at Virginia Tech. In 1953 he graduated with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He then began his lifelong career with Seaboard Air Line Railroad and moved to Richmond, VA. They relocated to Jacksonville, FL where they lived for 35 years. While there he developed the first environmental program for CSX railroad. He was an active member of the Episcopal Church of Our Saviour in Mandarin, Jacksonville where he especially enjoyed singing in the choir, leading Bible studies, and serving in many leadership positions.

After retiring he pursued his love of sailing and travel. He never met a stranger and enjoyed making new friends all over the world. Betty and Bill moved to Lanexa with their sailboat to be near their daughter in 2002. He became an active member of Hickory Neck Episcopal Church. Bill was always interested in how things worked, could fix anything, had an extraordinary memory and was a renowned storyteller. He supported his love of history as a member of the Society for the Preservation of Old Mills, the SCV, and the Jamestown Society.

His funeral will be held at 2pm on Saturday, September 30, 2023 at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church in Toano, VA, followed by a reception. A graveside burial will be held on Sunday, October 1 at 2pm at the Harrison Burial Plot at Westover Episcopal Church in Charles City County.

If you wish, memorials may be sent to the Salvation Army, Hickory Neck Episcopal Church or Westover Episcopal Church.