William L. Harris was born August 30, 1923 in Marion, the son of Oscar Robert Harris (1896-1980) and Estelle (Murphy) Harris (1898-1948). William was politically active on the city, county and state levels of government in addition to being a businessman.
In the 1930 census when Bill was 6 years old, his parents were renting space at 911 N. Market. His father was then a truck driver and through the early 1940’s worked at the Illinois Ordnance Plant like many people from around this area. Later on, the family resided at 707 N. Highland Street and his father worked as a coal miner. It is likely that when Bill was born the family was residing at 1214 N. Market. In 1928 they were living at 1309 N. Van Buren St.
He attended Marion elementary, junior and high schools and graduated from the special management administrative school at the University of Chicago in 1956.
He married Anna L. Simpson in Cape Girardeau on September 19, 1941. Bill’s mother died in 1948.
His business experience includes positions as auditor, U.S. Civil Service Property and Materials Division at the Illinois Ordnance Plant in Marion from 1941-1947. He worked as regional sales manager for Swift and Company from 1947-1970 and while at Swift and Company in Chicago he attended a management and public relations school from 1960-1965. He was in the sales and marketing department of DuQuoin Packing Company from 1970-1974.
Harris had also been an instructor in junior colleges for sales and marketing and a licensed real estate broker.
In the early to mid-1960’s Bill and his wife purchased a turn of the century family home at 512 S. Market Street originally built in 1893 for Manhiem Cantor, a local merchant.
From 1963 to 1967, he served on the Marion city council as head of the Department of Health and Public Safety, during which time he established the first state and federally approved landfill in the area.
While serving as Williamson County Democratic Chairman, Harris was Public Administrator of Williamson County. In addition, he held the political positions of Democratic Party vice-chairman in the 24th Congressional District, senatorial representative chairman in the 59th legislative district, precinct committeeman in Marion, and vice-chairman of the State Democratic Chairmen’s Association.
Following his appointment in 1973 to the newly-created State Board of Elections he served as its vice chairman from 1975 until his appointment to the Illinois House of Representative from the 59th District in 1977. During his three years in the Illinois House, Mr. Harris served on several committees.
In 1980, his father, Oscar, passed away.
Active in both political and community organizations, Harris has received a life-time membership in the State Jaycees; the merit award for leadership in government; the statewide VFW award for veterans’ legislation; the Outstanding Citizen award from the Woodmen of World Life Insurance Society; and the Community Leaders and Noteworthy Americans award honoring America’s Distinguished, Outstanding and Notable Leaders. In 1990 he was appointed to serve on the Prisoner Review Board.
He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Marion, Harris and his wife, Ann, had one son and resided in Marion. Harris, a licensed real estate broker, was president of the Harris Real Estate and Consultants, Ltd.
Harris was a member of Marion Masonic Lodge #89 A.F. & A.M., the NRA, and the Illinois Police Association.
William L. Harris, 89, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2013 at 1:30 P.M. at his home at 512 S. Market Street in Marion.
Mr. Harris was survived by his wife, Anna L. Harris, to whom they had been married over 71 years. They had one son, William Michael Harris, and his wife Julie Ann of Marion. He had three granddaughters; Stephanie Ann Bean, Melissa D. Harris and Monika L. Bean and two great grandchildren; J.W. Harris and Ella M. Bean.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Estelle.
Graveside services were held on Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11 a.m. at Rose Hill Cemetery with David and Barbara Vaughn officiating. Family and friends were asked to meet directly at the cemetery. Mitchell-Hughes Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements.
(Data extracted from the Marion Daily Republican obits, July 2013; Chronicling Illinois Website; Federal Census Records; Marion City Cemetery Record; Marion Street Directories; compiled by Sam Lattuca on 10/18/2013)