Chapter Grand

William E. (Billy) Harrison #2

William E. (Billy) Harrison #2

William E. Harrison Sr.
September 19, 1940 - January 7, 2024
It is with broken but grateful hearts that we announce the death of my loving husband, father, and amazing Pappaw, faithful brother and friend to many.

Broken because his presence is missed.

Grateful, because there are so many who have used their God given talents to further the lives of people with heart disease that allowed him to be part of our lives for so many years.

William E. Harrison Sr. was born in Livingston, Texas, to William Henry Harrison and Imogene Barnes Harrison in 1940. He grew up in Lufkin, Texas, with his sisters Elaine and Patti, and brother, Jim; all of whom followed him to Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches, Texas. This is where he would meet his future wife Rebecca. Goops, (a name that college friends and colleagues tagged on him), graduated from Stephen F. Austin University, with a degree in Journalism/English. He later added an Insurance Certification from the Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

He began his professional career as a management trainee for Bealls Department Stores of Texas. Soon after, he became an insurance adjuster, which led to his lifelong career in the insurance industry. His insurance career took him to Beaumont, Orange, and Nederland, Texas, before moving to San Antonio, in 1977, where he purchased Coleman Company Insurance, an insurance agency founded in 1912. He grew that company significantly before selling to a publicly traded firm in January of 2003.

Retirement was not appealing to him, so he added to his work history and resume. Goops served as Executive Director of the Western Art Museum in Kerrville, Texas. He enjoyed a long- standing commitment and involvement in the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo. He became Chairman of the Board of Schreiner University. He served as Deacon at Trinity Baptist Church as well as serving on several church committees. Always the salesman, he served as Director of Business Development at TASA Risk Solutions. Occasionally he took up a game of golf.

His pride, pleasure, and number one priority were his family. Forever a cowboy at heart, riding horseback or toasting a sunset on his beloved B&R Ranch are just a few of the many memories we will cherish.
Goops is survived by the love of his life for almost 60 years, Rebecca. His son Bill (Delaina), daughter Holly (Douglas) and his five grandchildren: Madeline, Ainslee, Kendall, Aubrey and Harrison. His brother Jim (Cheryl), sister Patti, nieces, nephews and approximately 10,000 friends.

His Memorial Service will be at Trinity Baptist Church, 319 E Mulberry, San Antonio, Texas, at 12:00 noon, on Saturday January 13, 2024. A visitation with family will be in the Fanning Foyer of the Church following the service. Burial will follow at Ft. Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please consider supporting The Alpha Home (www.alphahome.org), or The American Heart Association.

 

 



 
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01/11/24 06:50 AM #1    

Charles W. Durrett #60

Goops was the first Pledge Master for Texas ETA at SFA.  Quick with a smile and a good man.  


01/12/24 05:26 PM #2    

Paul Poston, Jr. #82

Goops epitomized in my mind what a true Phi was all about.  My hat was always off to him for going north and coming back with a charter.  Susan and I sadly send our condolences to Rebecca and our brother Jimmy.  It was such a pleasure knowing him.


01/13/24 09:26 AM #3    

Millard Thomas (Tommy) Moore #58

Billy Harrison was Texas Eta's first Pledge Master for the first Philkeia class. Spring 1963. The Phikeia's were Jerry Bond our leader Chapter Grand, Phil Hutchins Chapter Grand, Frank Wooster Chapter Grand, John Day Chapter Grand, Robert Popperwell, John Brawner, Terry Clark, Gene Chamblin, Tommy Moore. Billy was a Phi's Phi. YITB. Tommy Moore Bond 58


01/13/24 09:38 AM #4    

Millard Thomas (Tommy) Moore #58

I left two of our Phikeia Brothers off my list. Charles Durrett and Dan Vanderwood(never initiated)


01/19/24 12:56 PM #5    

Charlie Leslie #462

IN COELO QUIES EST - brotheR Billy Harrison
I found this photo of Billy Harrison recieving the Texas Eta Charter of Phi Delta Theta in the 1963 Stone Fort Yearbook.  I'm grateful for your efforts to receive it and recent efforts to restore it!


 


01/19/24 01:12 PM #6    

Charlie Leslie #462

Good looking group of Phis!  I found this on Stone Fort yearbook for 1963

https://archive.org/details/stonefort196300step/page/116/mode/2up?view=theater


02/28/24 07:13 PM #7    

John Cosby #320

I just saw the sad news on Bill. I was lucky to have met Bill in 2000 when I traveled to San Antonio on business. Bill was always cordial and outgoing. He asked me where I went to college and if I had joined a fraternity.  I told him SFA and yes I had joined the Phi Delts. With his son nearby, Bill fell out of his chair as he was laughing so hard and then proceeded to tell me he also went to SFA and joined the Phi Delts. When he told me his bond number was #2 which he was proud of, I almost fell of my chair. Bill didn't want to talk business, but his son kept telling him we need to discuss some business. We would always go out to lunch and tried discussing business but Bill wanted to know why I joined Phi Delts and how was my experience during my college years. His son told me once Billl was like a little kid in a candy store who loved talking about the fraternity. I would see him twice a year and we always talked about the fraternity. Everyone was right, Bill was not only an outstanding man/father, but also a great brother. YITB, Brother Cosby #320


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