William Harris

Dr. William D. "Bill" Harris, Jr., died February 16, 2011, at his home in Rancho Mirage, CA, surrounded by family following a long illness at the age of 83. He was born in Des Moines, IA, on March 21, 1927, to the late Dr. William D. Harris, Sr. and the late Kathryn Habenicht Fowler. He and his sister Gretchen spent their early years in Hollywood, CA, with their mother and then both moved to Cheyenne, WY, to live with their dad during their teenage years. At eighteen, Bill graduated early from Cheyenne High School in the spring of 1945 to enlist in the Army to serve in WWII. He went on to the University of Nebraska at Lincoln where he graduated with a degree in chemistry and zoology. He was a member of Delta Upsilon Fraternity. Bill married Shirley Ellbogen on September 2, 1950 in Worland, WY. They resided in San Diego where Bill served with the Naval Reserve during the Korean War. In the fall of 1952, they moved to Lincoln where Bill attended Dental School at the University of Nebraska, graduating in May 1956. Bill and Shirley settled in Casper, WY, where they resided for the next 40 years raising their family of five girls. Bill had a successful dental practice that he started in August 1956 and retired in June of 1991. He was physically active all his life playing high school sports and partaking in handball, racquetball, downhill and cross-country skiing, golf, and tennis. He also enjoyed fishing, pheasant hunting and gardening. He was an avid sports fan, a season ticket holder for University of Wyoming football and a lifetime Cowboy Joe Club member. He was a lifetime member of the American Dental Association, Casper Country Club, and the Casper YMCA where he also served as a board member. He was a member of the Casper Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs, served on the board at St. Anthony's Catholic School and was among the first group of lectors at St Anthony's Catholic Church. Bill also was a member of the Hogadon Ski patrol for several years He was preceded in death by wife Shirley, sister Gretchen Downing King, and both his parents. Dr. Harris remarried after the death of his first wife and relocated to Cheyenne, WY. For the past 13 years he has been a part-time resident of Cheyenne and Rancho Mirage, CA. He enjoyed traveling during his retirement and visiting his daughters and grandchildren. He continued to play golf and tennis as well as bridge during his later years. He is survived by wife, Arline Cohen-Harris of Cheyenne, WY; five daughters, Kathy Halvorsen of Charlottesville, VA, Kris Mayor (Sherman) of Las Vegas, NV, Patty Montoya (Dan) of Denver, CO, Susie Harris of Denver, CO and Ann Huber (Tim) of Omaha, NE, and his grandchildren, Ryan Goldhammer, Daniel and Lisa Halvorsen, Sean and Matthew Montoya and Allison, Scott and Andrea Huber. He is also survived by his cousin, Sue Cartwright Graham of Ft. Myers, FL, and his brother-in-law, Dr. Martin Ellbogen of Casper, WY, as well as several nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, February 22, 2011, from 3pm to 5pm concluding with the Rosary at 5pm at Bustard's Funeral Home at 600 C.Y. Avenue in Casper, WY. Mass of the Resurrection will be held at St. Patrick's Catholic Church at 400 Country Club Road in Casper at 10:30 a. m. on Wednesday, February 23, 2011. Interment will be at Highland Cemetery immediately following the Funeral Mass. Reception to follow at the church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Casper Family YMCA Youth Sports Program, St. Anthony Tri-Parish Catholic School or the National Parkinson Foundation, Inc.

Visitation

Tuesday, February 22, 2011 3:00pm - 5:00pm