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William Bill Harris
January 26, 2021

Obituary

William “Bill” Spencer Harris of Paterson, Washington passed away January 26, 2021 at Trios Hospital in Kennewick at age 79. A loving husband, father and friend, Bill was born March 9, 1941 in Sunnyside, Washington and preceded by the death of his parents William Short and Margaret Harris and his brother and sisters.
He graduated from Grandview High School in 1960 and immediately started farming in Mabton, Washington raising corn, hay and seed asparagus. In 1975 he moved his family to Paterson, Washington to continue farming and immediately found his second passion which would later become his career. Bill become a volunteer firefighter with Benton County Fire District #5 serving the Horse Heaven Hills. In 1983 the small communities perched on the banks of the Columbia River in South Benton County saw a need for emergency medical services and a Fire Chief, so Benton County Fire District #6 was formed with Bill as its Chief. Chief Harris spent the remainder of his 23-year career serving and protecting the communities of Paterson, Plymouth and the many farmers and citizens that passed through the area until he retired in 2009. He served the citizens of Benton County tirelessly for 34 years.
He was rarely a stranger, loved his community and cherished his friends. All who met him remember a caring man that was tall in stature with an authoritative presence. His immediate and extended family was the pinnacle of his life and he loved the family gatherings. He was an outdoorsman that enjoyed taking us shooting, camping at Tucannon, hunting, fishing and the family vacations to the Oregon Coast and Wallowa Lake. He was a collector of vintage guns and John Deere collectables. The Grand kids remember grandpa as having lots of tractors and a miniature farm where he shared his love for farming.
Bill is survived by his loving wife and soulmate of 59 years Carol. His sons Jeffery, Michael (Betty), Curtis (Kellie) Gregory (Ashley) and Ryan (Dana). Grandchildren Cameron, Carson, Marshawn, Houstyn, Kole, Emery, Jordan, Chelsea, and Christian and Perrin Hall, and great grandsons Carver Harris and Hunter Scott
Rest in peace Chief, we will take it from here.
“Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it. The river was cut by the world’s great flood and runs over rocks from the basement of time. On some of the rocks are timeless raindrops. Under the rocks are the words, and some of the words are ours.”
~Norman Maclean
A celebration of life will be announced at a later date after COVID-19 restrictions are lifted.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Tri-Cities Cancer Center Foundation.
Prosser Funeral Home and Crematory is making the arrangements

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Prosser Funeral Home
1220 Sheridan Avenue
Prosser, WA 99350
509-786-3642