William G. Harris

William (Bill) G. Harris passed away May 10, 2025, at Montrose Memorial Hospital. He was 96 years old. Celebration of Life is to be held at the Delta Methodist Church on June 6, 2025, at 2pm. Following the service a fellowship time to get together and remember.

He was born Billy Gene Harris then was legally changed to William Gene Harris on April 29, 1929, in Owensville, Indiana, to Charles Kirby Harris and Ruth Doram Cattion Harris. They moved to Missouri then to Montrose, CO where Bill grew up and graduated from Montrose High School in 1947. Bill was employed by Hawks Fuel and Feed Co. in Montrose from 1947-1951 as a truck driver.

Bill served our country in the Army from February 1, 1951, to January 26, 1953. He was a water treatment and purification in Germany. He was honorably discharged.

Bill met and married his soul mate (as he said the love of his life) Mary Ellen Simpson on August 9, 1953, at Montrose Congressional Church. His future Father-in-Law was the minister, he married them. They celebrated 71 years of marriage.

Bill started working for City Market in Montrose as a certified meat cutter. Then transferred to Delta City Market in January 1958 where he resided for 67 years with his family. He retired from City Market after 35 years of service. When he wasn’t working, he enjoyed camping and fishing with family and friends on the Grand Mesa. He also coached little league baseball, always came home after the first practice with a black eye. He collected Louis La’mour books, and bowling. Some of the things the family remembers him saying were, “I love you” in German to his granddaughter, “Been here for 30 minutes and no one has offered me a cup of coffee”, and “What time is dinner?” at holidays.

Bill was a member of the Masons, Eastern Stan, Grand Mesa Camping group and Methodist Church Mends Club where Bill was the last living member of the original charter members.

Bill is survived by his wife, Mary Ellen of Delta, 3 sons, Paul (Kathleen) of Delta, Dale of Las Vegas, NV, and Mark of Delta. Brother, Walter of Fort Morgan, CO, sister, Fern Falk of Norwood, CO, 6 grandchildren, Keven of Tumwater, WA, Keith of Limon, CO, Josh and David of Las Vegas, NV, Whitney Whiteside of Delta, and Preston of Las Vegas, NV. 10 great grandchildren, Nicole, Tyler, Kayley of Tumwater, WA, Donovan, Padyn, Parker of Limon, CO, Logan of Las Vegas, NV, Everett, Emmitt, and Elliott Whiteside of Delta, CO, also several nieces and nephews.

Bill is preceded in death by his parents, 2 sisters, Charlotte Nickerson, Neva Harris, and brother, John.