William Henry Harrison Jr., one of the last remaining members of “The Greatest Generation,” passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, at his home in the care of his loving family. “Bill” was born in Mitchell, IN, on March 30, 1926, along with his twin sister Barbara, to William Henry Harrison Sr. and Hazel McNeely Harrison. The family moved to a farm near Bromer in Orange County, where they lived during The Great Depression and where Bill and his sisters attended a one-room school. Near the end of the Depression, the family then returned to Mitchell.
Bill attended Riley School where he became friends with another young man by the name of Virgil Grissom. They joined the Boy Scouts in 1938 and attended Mitchell High School together, graduating in 1944. After graduation, Bill, Virgil, and another friend, Harrison Connelly, enlisted in the Army Air Corps. One of Bill’s greatest regrets in life was that he was not able to serve his country overseas during WW II. He was crewed up as a right side gunner on a B-29 bomber, having already received orders to deploy to the Mariana Islands in the Pacific should an invasion of Japan be necessary. The war soon ended with the advent of the atomic bomb, and Bill then returned to Mitchell, where he married his high school sweetheart, Mary Margaret Overton, on May 29, 1945. The couple had been married for almost 67 years when Mary passed away in 2012. Bill lovingly cared for Mary in their home as she battled Alzheimer’s disease.
The second regret of Bill’s life was not having the opportunity to earn a college degree. After his Army discharge in 1946, Bill worked for a time at Carpenter Body Works before he was hired by Lehigh Portland Cement Company, where he was employed 44 years, years 1968-1978, was spent at Lehigh’s home office in Allentown, Pennsylvania, Where is became Manager of safety after his excellent performance in Labor Relations. After Lehigh merged with the Heidelberg Corporation, Bill returned to the Mitchell plant, where he was Manager of Administration and Control. After his retirement, Lehigh continued to consult Bill on safety matters in their cement plants around the United States. Bill was respected by those he worked with at Lehigh as a man of his word with a strong personal work ethic. Since Bill never got the opportunity to earn a college degree himself, he worked very hard and lived frugally, saving money so that he could give his children the chance to graduate from college. His daughters both obtained nursing degrees, Candace from IU and Drucinda from Penn State; William III also graduated from Penn State with a degree in Journalism.
Bill was a member of American Legion Post No. 250, where he served on the Honor Guard and was a Past Commander. He felt a great personal responsibility to give all veterans of our armed forces, especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, a fitting and proper memorial service. Bill was also a 75-year member and Past Master of Mitchell Masonic Lodge No. 228 F.&A.M. During the 1960’s, Bill was chairman of the pudding contest at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival. He always enjoyed critiquing his family’s persimmon puddings. As his granddaughter Katie once said, “He taught me how to appreciate a good persimmon pudding.” Bill was also a member of Jacob Finger Methodist Church, where he taught Sunday school for many years. He was also active in the Mitchell Rotary Club, where he was named a Paul Harris Fellow.
William Henry Harrison Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, wife Mary, twin sister Barbara, and sisters Louise Lancaster and Betty Fields. He is survived by daughters Candace (Steve) Isom and Drucinda Burton, both of Mitchell, and a son William Henry Harrison III (Cindy Marks) of East Greenville, PA. Grandchildren: Stephen (Ashley Allen) Isom III, John-Paul (Julie) Isom, Lauren (Jesse) Pounds, Kathryn (Daniel) Houchin, William Henry Harrison IV (Maegan), Nora Harrison, John Harrison, and Leah Marks. Great-grandchildren: Rieken Isom, Jack and Quinley Isom, Reese Isom, Julia Isom, Rhett Houchin, Ryleigh Houchin, and Miss Reagan Houchin due in June, William Henry Harrison V (Liam), and Nell Harrison.
Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, April 10, at Jacob Finger Methodist Church with Pastor Pam Tedrow and Brother Marc Fields officiating. Military rites will be accorded by American Legion Post No. 250 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9107. Entombment will be at Mitchell Cemetery.
Friends may visit Tuesday from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Chastain Funeral Home & Cremation Center and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service Wednesday at the church. A memorial service will be conducted by Mitchell Masonic Lodge No. 228 F.&A.M. at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The family would like to thank Hoosier Uplands Hospice Staff for their compassionate and professional care of William in his final months and also his special caregiver, Chandler Hershberger.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.chastainfuneralhome.com
