William D. Harris

William Donald Harris 95 of Preston St., Bedford, died Thursday, February 7, 2008 at UPMC Bedford Memorial Hospital.  He was born August 22, 1912 in Bedford, son of the late George William and Virginia Cora (Johnson) Harris.  In 1935 in Bedford he married Grace Pearl Aveni and she preceded him in death on April 4, 1989.  He is survived by numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins, including his niece Connie Miller and her husband Richard who were his caregivers.  Also surviving is a sister-in-law Mary Harris of Harrisburg.  He was preceded in death by three sisters: Vivian Smith, Rebecca Hamilton and Rae Washington, two brothers, Cecil and Floyd Harris.

He was a 1930 graduate of Bedford High School and still holds some track records. In 1931 he tried out for the Negro League Baseball team, The Homestead Grays and in the fall of that year attended Temple University on a track scholarship and ran undefeated that year. In 1932 he transferred to West Chester College.  He was well known for his music abilities and played in a band around Bedford and Altoona.  He was a member of Mt. Pisgah AME Zion Church in Bedford his entire life and held many offices, such as chairman of the Trustees and church treasurer and was recently recognized by the church denomination for his many years of service.  He worked for Standard Oil for 42 years supplying service stations all along the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  He was also a land owner and hog farmer and a journeyman barber.  He was an avid horse lover and owned and raced horses at the county fairs.

Funeral services: Monday 11:00 am from the Mt Pisgah AME Zion Church in Bedford with Rev. Vincent Martin officiating.  Burial in Mt. Ross Cemetery.  Friends will be received on Monday at the church from 9:30 until the time of service. Those wishing may make contributions to Mt. Pisgah AME Zion Church, P. O. Box 278, Bedford, PA in his memory.  Arrangements by the Timothy A. Berkebile Funeral Home in Bedford.  Our online guest book is available at wwwberkebilefuneralhome.com.