Obituary of William A. Harris, III

William A. Harris III, son of the late William Augustus Harris Jr & Violet Mae Horne Harris, was born on June 5, 1945 in the historic town of Abington, England, and passed away peacefully on November 16, 2021.

“Bill” was born in the town of Abington, in the northern part of the historic county of Berkshire, England, UK, shortly after WWII. His father, William A. Harris, Jr., was a Private in the US Army Air Corps who served in the war, and his mother, Violet, was an English woman who met Bill’s father during the war, who also had Bill’s siblings, Annette Harris Anderson and Philip Dean Harris.

After the war, Bill’s parents moved to Columbia, SC and settled in Denny Terrace. Bill graduated high school from Eau Claire High School in Columbia, SC in 1963, and joined the Air Force in the Vietnam War era. After serving in the Air Force, Bill returned to Columbia and enjoyed his career at the South Carolina Tax Commission, from where he retired after 27 years. Bill graduated from the University of South Carolina with a degree in Accounting in 1973.

Earlier in life, Bill served on the Irmo Town Council, was an avid motorhead, and enjoyed buying and selling some of the most collectible cars on the market, including 1960s, 70’s and 80’s Chevrolet Camaros and Corvettes. Bill was also avid bowler, participated in bowling leagues, and won several tournaments over the years. Bill also enjoyed fishing. He enjoyed a lifelong love of Real Estate, obtained his realtor’s license in the 1970’s, and could often be found buying, renovating and flipping homes over the years. 

Bill was a lifelong South Carolina Gamecocks fan and a Gamecock Club member for 36 years. In his younger years, you could find him tailgating at South Carolina football games and cheering on the Gamecocks at Williams Brice Stadium in the West Upper stands. He rarely missed a game in person.  Later in life, Bill enjoyed cheering on his Gamecocks from his home. Bill’s legacy at the University of South Carolina is forever memorialized in one of the thousands of bricks in the beautiful University of South Carolina Historic Horseshoe.

Bill is survived by his loving wife, Penny; her daughter, Amanda Heizer (Trae); their children, Tripp and Max; her son, Donald E. Hawkins; Bill’s sister, Annette Harris Anderson (Raymond); Bill’s brother, Philip Dean Harris (Kim); Bill’s daughter from his first marriage, Michelle “Dee Dee” Harris Tamargo (Joel);  their children, Joseph William Tamargo and James Michael Tamargo.  Bill is also survived by his niece, Yvonne (Dan); and nephew, Ray (daughter and son of Annette and Raymond); as well as his nephews, “Little” Philip (Kerry) and David (Tracy) (sons of his brother, Philip); and niece, Kinley (daughter of Philip and Kim).  Bill is also survived by his nephews, Will, Wyatt, Charlie, Andy, and Thomas; as well as great- nephews, Caleb, Andrew, and Chris; and great-nieces, Breanna, Abby and Olivia.

The family would like to thank the ICU staff at Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital in Columbia, SC for all the care and attention they provided Bill and his family. 

Funeral service will be held at on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 11:00am at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, 4720 Augusta Highway, Lexington, SC.  Visitation will be held at 10:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Sharing God’s Love, 147 Friarsgate Blvd, Irmo, SC 29063.