SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 177
In Memory
of
William Barton Harris
WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas honors and
commemorates the life of William Barton Harris, who died December
16, 2010, at the age of 67; and
WHEREAS, William Barton Harris was born in Denison on
August 16, 1943, to W. T. and Helen Harris; he moved to Bangs,
Texas, and graduated from high school there in 1961; and
WHEREAS, He earned a degree in range and forestry at Texas
A&M University in 1966; he then entered the Naval Flight Program
and received his wings as a United States Navy aviator; he served
his country for 12 years, including three years in Vietnam; and
WHEREAS, He married Ann Friend of Austin in 1966; they
moved to Bangs after Barton finished his military service, and
he purchased the local meat-processing plant; he owned a
cow-calf operation and Harris Meats of Bangs for 15 years; in
1988, he moved to the industrial park in Brownwood as the owner
of the W. T. Harris Company; and
WHEREAS, Barton was active in many professional
associations, served as president of the Texas Oklahoma Meat
Processors Association for four years, and served on the boards
of directors of the Brown County Farm Bureau, the Brownwood
Airport, and the Brown County Fair Association; and
WHEREAS, He was very involved with local law enforcement
and over the years had received much recognition and numerous
awards from several groups for his dedication and loyalty,
including the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Abilene
District Highway Patrol, and the Texas Department of Public
Safety Criminal Intelligence Service; and
WHEREAS, He was a member of the inaugural board for Crime
Stoppers in Brown County in 1984 and last year helped expand the
organization's coverage into Coleman and Mills Counties; he
served the Bangs community as president of McDaniel Cemetery for
many years, and he provided gun safety instruction to many young
people in the Texas 4-H program and let them use his skeet range;
he was a member of the First Baptist Church in Brownwood for 34
years; and
WHEREAS, Barton loved the family ranch, which was first
settled by his grandparents in 1917; he purchased adjoining land
in order to maintain the family legacy of pioneer landowners in
Brown County; a gracious and hospitable gentleman, he enjoyed
entertaining and hosting events at the ranch; and
WHEREAS, He was a devoted husband, father, and
grandfather, and he leaves behind memories that will be treasured
forever by his family and his many friends; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby honor the life of William Barton Harris and
extend sincere condolences to his bereaved family; and, be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for
his family as an expression of deepest sympathy from the Texas
Senate, and that when the Senate adjourns this day, it do so in
memory of William Barton Harris.
Fraser
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on February 7, 2011, by
a rising vote.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate