William Alexander Harrison Jr.

Willie departed this life, after a short illness, on Saturday, the 13th of January 2018, having completed almost 92 years of life as a Texas Rancher, husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, all the while spreading love, fairness, and goodwill to his many partners and companions along the way.

Willie was a mentor to many and a shining example of what it means do “do what’s right.” Honesty was his trademark, and loyalty was his credo.

Willie was born in Wharton, Texas on the 17th of February 1926. He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Leonean Hunt Harrison; his five children, Lori Sawyer, Bill Harrison and wife Terrie Ann, Twink Potts and husband Pat, Holly Meier and husband Lester, Dianne Forgason and husband Burt; his six grandchildren, Tess and Lindsey Sawyer, Ashley Willis, Callie White, Will and Elizabeth Reedy; and his four great-grandchildren, Zander, Zeddie, and Zuri White, and Halley Willis; two sisters Betty Ann Borchers and husband Otto, and Mary Rebecca Gardner-Johnson. Willie was preceded in death by his son, Wes Boling Harrison and his brother, James Burr Harrison.

Willie’s many friends and family were blessed with his keen wisdom and wit, and will long recall his many true tales of adventure which so typified his incredible ability to survive all that life threw his way, both happy and sad; and when the sad times came, he never failed to brush himself off and climb back up in the saddle to meet another day. His handsome face and kind manner will be missed by all, but his trustworthiness will forever be honored.

Friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from five o'clock in the afternoon until eight o'clock in the evening on Monday, the 22nd of January, in the library and grand foyer of Geo. H. Lewis & Sons, 1010 Bering Drive in Houston.

At a later date the family will gather for a private interment at Wharton City Cemetery in Wharton, Texas.

In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions in his name be directed to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Houston Gulf Coast Chapter, 2425 Fountainview, Suite 280, Houston, TX, 77057; or to the charity of one’s choice.

Willie’s life was a work of art, to which he paid loving attention to its detail, and for which he can take pride in the finished product. He rests in peace, thanks be to God!