Franklin - William Charles "Bill" Harris, 82, widower of Joan Elaine Harris, passed away August 28, 2012. Born in Clinton, IA, he was the son of the late Philip R. and Minnie Belle Kennedy Harris. Bill was a retired analytical chemist with Union Camp Corporation and was a member of Franklin Presbyterian Church where he was a former trustee. Bill was graduated from the University of Iowa where he received his bachelors and masters degree and from Michigan State University where he earned his doctorate. He was an active member of AARP and enjoyed helping seniors with their taxes and volunteering at the Ruth Camp Campbell Library. Bill was an avid reader and enjoyed his annual vacation to the Outer Banks with his growing family.
Left to cherish his memory are his sons, William C. Harris, Jr. (Betsy) of Holliston, MA and Jeffrey A. Harris (Eleanor) of Goochland; his daughter, Kathryn H. Padgett (Frank) of Suffolk; a sister, Ann H. Klopp (Peter) of Bluegrass, IA; seven grandchildren, Katharine Harris, Philip Harris, Sarah Harris, Ethan Harris, Emily Thomas, Robert Clay Harris, Patrick Neil Padgett and four great-grandchildren, Avery Padgett, Dalton Padgett, Aidan Ristey and Autumn Thomas.
The funeral will be held Saturday, September 1, 2102 at 11 a.m. in Franklin Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Kent Leydens officiating. Burial will follow in Poplar Spring Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday, August 31, 2012 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Wright Funeral Home and suggests memorials be made to Franklin Presbyterian Church , 405 Lee St., Franklin, VA 23851.www.wrightfuneralhome.org.