July 16, 1945 ~ December 10, 2024
Billy Edward (Bill) Harris passed away December 10, 2024 at Life Care of Rhea County following a long and difficult battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was well-loved and respected by all who truly knew him.
Bill was born July 16, 1945, as the seventh of nine children of Wiley Whitlock (Whit) and Robbie Newman Harris, a farming family in the Frazier Community. He attended Frazier Grammar School through the eighth grade, and then Rhea Central High School. For most of his adult life, Bill simultaneously held three jobs in order to provide for his family—law enforcement officer, school bus driver, and farmer. His life is an example of hard work, selfless sacrifice, and tremendous love for others.
During the fourth grade, Bill learned to drive on the Knight farm, then managed by his father. This accomplishment would prove pivotal to later success in life. At Rhea Central, Bill was the band manager, and a member of the Future Farmers of America, graduating in the class of 1963.
Bill and Charlotte Holland Harris married in December 1963, and settled in Graysville, TN. Together with his father-in-law, HB Holland, Bill owned and operated H&H Grocery for several years, before selling out, and embarking on what would turn out to be a four-decade law enforcement career.
On March 1, 1971, Bill began as a patrolman for the City of Dayton Police Department, making Sergeant on August 15, 1972. On October 1, 1973, he was named Chief of Police, serving until September 1974, when he resigned to take an administrative position with the State of Tennessee. Unfortunately, less than six months later, a Tennessee gubernatorial change resulted in loss of his new job.
For a brief period in 1975, Bill was employed as Police Chief for the City of Graysville, and in the fall of 1975, he essentially became Rhea County High School’s first School Resource Officer, a position he held until 1981.
From 1976 until 1981, Bill also served as a Deputy under Sherriff Carles “Junior” Henderson. In late 1981, he left RCHS and the Sheriff’s office for a law enforcement position with Tennessee Valley Authority. Bill retired at the end of 2010 with over 28 years of service to the TVA Security Force.
For almost 40 years, Bill served as a bus driver for the Rhea County School system. He drove a Graysville route for 10 years, a Spring City route for 12 years, and a Dayton Mountain route for 15 years, before wrapping up his driving career as a fill-in driver. Stops were timed to provide parents with predictability, and minimize student wait during periods of darkness and cold or rainy weather.
Driving the RCHS Football Team for seven years, and being the only driver many Rhea County students had on the first day of kindergarten until the last day of their senior year was a source of personal pride. Bill once reflected that his time as a bus driver provided a tremendous opportunity to set a consistent example for young people who needed a positive role model in their lives.
In retirement, Bill enjoyed gardening and working in his yard, taking long walks, and working part-time for the Rhea Herald News, and later Coulter-Garrison Funeral Home.
Bill was ordained as a Deacon at Graysville First Baptist Church, where he served as music director and treasurer, and also began a decades-long run as a bass singer in a gospel quartet.
For over 50 years, Bill was well-known on the homecoming and singing circuit as bass singer for the Gospel Tones Quartet, a group formed with his sister, Betty, and his brother-in-law, Claude Pendergrass. While many individuals rounded out the group over the decades, the three of them formed its core. In the twilight of his singing career, Bill sang bass for the Sounds of Grace, another local quartet. His last public singing performance was at a Red Back Hymnal Singing at New Union Baptist Church on April 9th, 2017.
At his death, Bill had been a member of New Union Baptist Church for over 30 years after returning in 1992. He met Jesus there as a teenager, and served NUBC as a choir member and deacon until unable to continue.
On December 1, 2024, Bill and Charlotte observed their 61st wedding anniversary. Of his considerable life accomplishments, he was most proud of being a Husband, Dad and Grandpa, and excelled at all three!
Bill is survived by his wife Charlotte Holland Harris, and their four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren: (children) Brock (Julie) Harris of Dayton, Melinda (Barry) Walls of Dayton, Billy (Carol) Harris of Smyrna, TN, and Ernie Harris of Dayton; (grandchildren) Jake (Taylor) Harris of Dallas Texas, Cameron (Kristen) Harris of Prattville, Alabama, Maeve (Lyle) Smith and Madeline Walls of Dayton, Abbie Harris and Olivia Harris of Smyrna, and Spencer Harris of Dayton; (great-grandchildren) Ava Harris and Bennett Harris of Prattville.
Surviving siblings include Colonel (Jo) Harris of Dayton, Tom (Patricia) Harris of Lebanon, Betty Pendergrass of Dayton, Eva (Newt) Layman of Spring City, and, and Ron (Gloria) Harris, of Dayton.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents, Whit and Robbie, his sister Norene Thurman, and brothers, JB and Alvin Harris; in-laws, Edith Harris, Odell Thurman, Betty Harris Corder, Claude Pendergrass, Odessa Harris, and Pat Conner; and, nephews, Steve Thurman, and Danny, Ricky, Barry, Larry, and Ben Harris.
The Family receives friends and family from 5:00 – 8:00 PM on Thursday, December 12 at Coulter Garrison Funeral Home. Additional visitation occurs on Friday, December 13 from 12:00 – 2:00 PM at New Union Baptist Church. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, with Dr. Danny Ruehling officiating. Burial follows in Spence Cemetery with Rev. Clyde Fitzgerald presiding over graveside services.
Pallbearers are Bill’s nephews. Honorary pallbearers are Bill’s grandchildren and their spouses.
In lieu of flowers, please donate in honor of Bill to the New Union Baptist Church building fund for construction of the new youth building.
The Family wishes to thank the Lifecare Staff for their care over the past three years.