William M. Harris

Rev. William Matthew Harris, age 92, of Austin, passed away in the early morning hours of May 23, 2018. Bill was born March 26, 1926 to Rev. Ed J. Harris and Alva Kuykendall in Nacogdoches, TX. He grew up as the son of a Methodist minister and lived in several small towns in East Texas.

Bill graduated from high school in Nacogdoches and attended SMU and Perkins Theological Seminary, becoming a Methodist minister himself. At SMU he met Elizabeth Deats of Graham, TX, and they were married for almost 70 years. Together they served churches in Houston, San Angelo, Harlingen, San Antonio, and Austin. Bill served as District Superintendent in Austin and later became the Director of the Conference Council on Ministries for the Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church. He retired from the ministry in 1988 after his last appointment at Northwest Hills UMC in Austin.

Bill and Lib have two children: Matt Harris (wife, Beth Watts) of Bossier City, LA and Lydia Deats (husband, Craig) of Austin. They have two grandchildren: Caleb (wife Casey) Hayes-Deats of Brooklyn, NY and Caroline (husband, Joaquin) Sanchez of Austin. They have a new great granddaughter, Reese Sanchez, and a soon to be born great grandson, Harlan Hayes-Deats.

Bill was predeceased by his oldest grandson, Carlton Harris in 2003, his sister Maxine Clark, and his brother, Ed J. Harris.

Bill and Lib have enjoyed retirement, living at Westminster for eight years and attending St. John's UMC.

The family wishes to thank the nurses and CNAs at the Westminster Arbor for their loving care of Bill for the last four years.

Visitation will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Monday, May 28th at Weed-Corley-Fish North Lamar.

A memorial service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 29th at St. John's United Methodist Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family would suggest contributions to Hospice Austin, St. John's UMC, or the Montopolis Friendship Community Center.