William H. Harris

WILLIAM (BILL) HOLTON HARRIS CHESTER, MD: William Harris died February 21, 2006 at his home in Chester. He was born February 28, 1922, the son of Holton Carroll and Viola Taylor Harris. His entire life was spent in Chester. Captain Bill, as he was affectionately known, lived his life on and around the Chesapeake Bay. He began his career working as a waterman, served in the Pacific in the Army in WWII, returning to his beloved home in December 1945. Upon returning home he continued to work on the water, oystering and crabbing until he founded W. H. Harris Seafood Processing Company in 1947 at Kent Narrows. In 1981, he founded Harris Crab House, a restaurant adjacent to the oyster processing plant. During this time, he continued working with the watermen whom he loved and respected. Mr. Harris was a member of the Grasonville VFW Post #7464, Kent Island American Legion, and Masonic Lodge #180 A.F. & A.M. in Centreville. He was a lifetime member and supporter of the Kent Island Volunteer Fire Department, leading the Women''s Auxiliary in their marching activities in the 1950''s and a past member and officer of the Kent Island Yacht Club. Captain Bill served as a member of the Centreville National Bank Board of Trustees from December 30, 1975 until his retirement April 21, 1992. On July 26, 1941, he married the former Violet Mae Coleman who survives him as do his children, a son, William Jerry Harris and his wife Patricia of Centreville, MD and a daughter Karen Harris Oertel and her husband Arthur Oertel of Centreville, MD; five grandchildren, Daniel Harris of Millington, MD, Michael Harris of Cordova, MD, Debbie Oertel Schilling of Annapolis, MD, JoAnne Oertel Baker of Centreville, MD, and William Oertel of Easton, MD; nine great-grandchildren and a sister, Rita Harris Stowe of Chester, MD. Family and friends may visit on Thursday, February 23, 2006 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm at Fellows, Helfenbein and Newnam Funeral Home, P. A., Chester, MD where funeral services will be held on Friday, February 24, 2006 at 11am. Interment will follow in Stevensville Cemetery, Stevensville, MD. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to: Hospice of Queen Anne''s, Inc., 300 Del Rhodes Ave., Queenstown, MD, Kent Island Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 27, Stevensville, MD or the Grasonville Volunteer Fire Dept., P.O. Box 457, Grasonville, MD 21638.