William "Bill" Harris

William “Bill” Ora Harris, 81, of Hillsboro, Kentucky, passed away Tuesday, December 15, 2020 at his residence, surrounded by his family.

He was born June 11, 1939, in Fleming County, Kentucky, to the late Omar and Georgie Thomas Harris.

Bill was a farmer all his life, raising thousands of acres of tobacco.  He loved his family more than anything raising not only his children but many others as well.  His passions included hunting, fishing, flea markets, and most of all auctions.  He was known for selling fresh produce with his granddaughter, LaShonda and also known as the “The Chair Man.”  He opened and ran Harris Auction Company in 1978, which is still run by his son, Jeff to this day.  Bill was hard core into politics, he believed the greatest President of all time is currently holding that position.  He was once the elected Magistrate of the fiscal court of Fleming County.  He was the Republican Commissioner for the Fleming County Board of Elections, Republican Party county chairman, and he worked the election poles 40+ years.  Bill was a member of Sharkey Baptist Church in Morehead, Kentucky.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by one daughter, Amy Lou Harris Kenley, one son, Gregory Allen Harris, his twin brother, Willard Owen Harris, brother, Paul Harris, and his sister, Kathy Graves.

Bill is survived by his wife of 62 years, Jean Harris, three sons, Jeff (Charlotte) Harris of Wallingford, Kentucky, Frank (Shawona) Harris of Morehead, Kentucky and Richard (Seleslie) Harris of Hazard, Kentucky, one daughter, Sandra Fuerst of Wallingford, Kentucky, thirteen grandchildren, Niki Harris, Talithia Duncan, LaShonda Copher, Stephanie Kenley, Samantha Kenley, Casey Harris, Jared Harris, Billy Whitt, Aaliyah Harris, Floyd Frasure, Charlie Frasure, Clarence Frasure, and Sarah Dugan, twenty-three great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, a special sister-in-law, Edytha Sloas and niece, Paula Martin, his beloved dogs, Spot and Rosco, and many other nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.  Over the years through the auction and game rooms he had several “adopted” sons and daughters that he loved very much.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1:00 P.M. Friday, December 18, 2020 at the Sharkey Baptist Church with Rev. Harley Sexton, Jr. and Rev. Elijah Sexton officiating.

Burial will follow in the Denton Cemetery on Lower Rock Lick Road.

Visitation at the Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is after 5:00 P.M. Thursday.

The funeral service for Bill Harris will be livestreamed on the Sharkey Baptist Church Facebook page beginning at 1 P.M. Friday.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jeff Harris, Frank Harris, Richard Harris, Casey Harris, Jared Harris, and Billy Whitt.

Honorary pallbearers will be Ashton Copher, Eric Copher, and Atlee Pennington.

The Michael R. Gray Funeral Home in Morehead is caring for all arrangements.