William S. Harris
William S. "Billy" Harris
Dundee: William S. "Billy" Harris, age 49, of Dundee, died unexpectedly Friday, June 15, 2012, at home. Friends are invited to call from 5-8 pm Monday (June 18) at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; where a funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Tuesday (June 19) with Pastor Wendy Wolverton officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions would be graciously accepted for his son's education fund, c/o Becky Harris, 62 Union St., Dundee, NY 14837.
"Billy" was born Oct. 5, 1962, in Penn Yan, N.Y., the son of the late Elbert E. Harris and Irene J. Miller Harris. He graduated from Dundee Central School and from BOCES with a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Certification in 1980. On Feb. 14, 1990, in Rochester, NY, he married the former Susan M. Finch.
A lifelong local resident, Bill was a former EMT with Finger Lakes Ambulance, before becoming an over-the-road tractor trailer driver. He had worked for Earl T. Wadhams, and Brownell, and lastly Schumaker Trucking, out of Ohio. On August 29, 1995, in Dresden, NY, while on his way to work, he was involved in a horrible truck accident which left him a quadriplegic. His will and determination to survive and raise his sons were beyond compare. He refused to give up the things he enjoyed in life. He was always looking for ways to become more mobile and self-sufficient. He was able to teach his sons countless things as they were often his hands for almost 17 years, helping him do whatever he put his mind to, or needed to be done around the house. He was proud of all 3 of his boys, and Johnathan, who graduates this year from High School and has been accepted to RIT; and he was so happy to be involved with all of their music competitions. Bill was an inspiration to all who knew him.
A former member of Dundee Fire Dept., Bill was a devoted #3 Dale Earnhardt and avid NASCAR fan, a die-cast car collector, especially enjoying remote control cars and helicopters, building computers, and supporting his sons' many involvements.
He is loved and will be dearly missed by his wife of 22 years, Susan M. Harris; 3 sons, William J. Harris, Johnathan S. Harris, and Dale R. Harris, all at home; his mother, Irene J. Harris of Dundee; a brother, Robert M. (Marjorie) Harris of Liberty, MO; a sister, Becky S. Harris of Dundee; a sister-in-law, Denise Harris; and a niece, Angela Harris, both of Waterloo; a great-nephew, Jack Harris; 3 great-nieces, Leena Monica, Leslie, and Michaela Brewer; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and countless friends.
Besides his father, he was pre-deceased by a sister and 2 brothers, Judith, Michael, and Jack Harris, and a niece, Jackie Brewer.
Online condolences can be sent by visiting www.bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.