CHESAPEAKE- Senior Chief William Patrick Harris, 84, left this earthly world January 19, 2017 to join his Heavenly Father to reunite with loved ones who went earlier. He was born in Gurdon, AR on February 6, 1932 to the late Clyde D. and Dolly Smith Harris. He was also predeceased by his older brother, Carl Harris and daughter, Charlynn C. "Rockey" Warford. William Patrick retired from the United States Navy in 1974 after 24 years of service to our country. He advanced through the ranks from Fireman to Senior Chief Petty Officer. Fresh out of boot camp, he was assigned to the USS Colonial (Gator) out of San Diego, California, then (on the east coast) to Destroyers: USS Newport News CA 1448, his last duty station was COMCRU DES LANT, Maintenance Rep. NORVA, Engineering. He received numerous awards and commendations during his career. After military retirement, he worked for Peoples Drug Store in the maintenance department for 20 years. After retiring from Peoples Drug Stores he opened his own HVAC Buisness for the following 7 years. William Patrick loved bowling, fishing, and camping. He and Rita loved to jump in their motor home and head to Williamsburg or North Carolina to visit relatives and friends or up to the Eastern Shore of Virginia or to Cherrystone campground. He was active in his Christian life. He was a Deacon of Calvary Baptist Church on Haygood Rd. where he had many friends and associates.

Left to cherish his memory are the love of his life for 58 years, Rebecca "Rita" L. Philyaw Harris; 8 children, combining his children and hers, Bernadette C. Chrylser, William B. Church, Patricia J. Harris, Kenneth L. Harris, Ronald A. Harris, Roberta "Toni" H. Whitlinger, and Gary M. Harris; grandchildren, Michelle, Jeff, Jennifer, Rebecca, Erin, JC, Kenny, Jr., Collin, Mathew, Christian, Lauren, Joshua, Rachel, Bailey, and Parker; 12 great-grandchildren; sister, Jean Smith; brother, James "Jim" Harris and numerous other loving family and friends.

A service to celebrate his life will be held on Saturday, January 21, 2017 at 2:30 pm at Graham Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 1112 Kempsville Rd., Chesapeake. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Memorial Gardens, Norfolk with full military honors. The family will receive friends an hour prior to the service. Please visit his book of memories at www.grahamfuneralhome.com to view the service if unable to attend and leave a condolence to the family.