Billy Harris
Billy Harris, 80, of rural Dongola, died Friday, Jan. 22, 2021, at 8:20 p.m. at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Harris was born on Nov. 18, 1940, in Anniston, Mo. He was the son of Carl W. and Geraldine Martinie Harris.
On July 17, 1959, he married Deloris J. Tatum in East Prairie, Mo. She survives.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Harris is survived by his children, Mechelle (Jackie) Greer of Dongola and Billy H. (Carol) Harris II of McClure; six grandchildren, Benjamin (Audrey) Greer of Dongola, Zack (Melissa) Greer of Belknap, Levi (Katie) Harris of Dongola, Clay (Katie) Harris of Dongola, Beth Sandvos of McClure and Jacob Sandvos of Scott City, Mo.; six great-grandchildren, Dillon, Lily, Cheyanne, Kaden, Dalton and Kamdin Greer; a sister, Carla Huffman of Jonesboro; a sister-in-law, Cheryl Harris of Vienna; a brother-in-law, Howard Thomure of Belleville; as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. He was anxiously anticipating the birth of another great-granddaughter in June 2021.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Harris was preceded in death by two sisters and a brother-in-law, Margaret Thomure and Jerry (Billy Joe) Haines; and a brother, Robert P. “Bob” Harris.
He was a 1958 graduate of Anniston, Mo., High School. He was employed for approximately 18 years as a supervisor at Transcraft Inc. in Anna.
His passion and lifelong vocation was farming. He had a great love of the land and also enjoyed fishing and hunting. Mr. Harris was a member of the Union County Farm Bureau.
He and Deloris were members of the Cowboy Church in Draffenville, Ky. He was a devoted family man and cherished time spent with his relatives and friends.
A service honoring the life of Billy Harris will be conducted Saturday, Jan. 30, at 1:30 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna. Pastor Clint Nale and Pastor Chris Clark will officiate. Entombment will be in the Friendship Cemetery near Dongola.
A walk-through visitation for relatives and friends will be conducted Friday, Jan. 29, 2021, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna.
Those attending the visitation and service are reminded to observe customarily accepted social distancing guidelines. The wearing of a face mask or covering is strongly encouraged.
Memorials can be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tenn. 38105-1905, or to Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, 1465 S. Grand Blvd., St. Louis, Mo. 63104.
To share a memory or to leave an online message of condolence, visit www.baileyfh.com.
Bailey Funeral Home in Vienna is in charge of arrangements.