William E. "Bill" Harris of O'Fallon, Ill., born July 16, 1930 in Neelyville, Mo. passed away February 7, 2015, with his loving family by his side.

Bill was raised by his grandparents William and Fannie Harris. He attended O'Fallon Township High School where he was a standout baseball pitcher, signing with the New York Yankees. Bill retired after 30 years from Midwest Rubber Reclaiming Company, and he also ran his own electrical, heating, and cooling business: Harris General Maintenance. His joy was his family, and his greatest joy was his wife, Esther, who passed away on July 10, 2013 after 56 years of marriage. Bill was a proud Army veteran of the Korean War, a lifetime member and past commander of the O'Fallon American Legion Post 137, a lifetime member of O'Fallon VFW Post 805, and O'Fallon Sportsman Club, and a member of the Shiloh Eagles.

In addition to his wife, he was preceded in death by his granddaughter Angela Harris, his father Otis Harris, and grandparents William and Fannie Harris.

Surviving are his children Diana (James) Lindsey of Trenton, Ill., Charles (Barbara) Harris of Springhill, Tenn., David (Mary) Harris of Belleville, Donna Harris of O'Fallon, and Don (Melanie) Harris of O'Fallon. Also surviving are grandchildren Michael Lindsey, William Lindsey, Tony Harris, Andrew Harris, Tamara Harris, Derek Harris, Blake Harris, Madison Harris, and Emma Harris and great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

The family would like to thank Dr. Michael Cannon for his kindness and compassion while caring for Bill.

Memorials may be made to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

Visitation: Friends may call from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon, Ill.

Funeral: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 11, 2015, at the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Martha Thierheimer, officiating. Interment with military honors will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville.