William "Bill" Martin Harris

The Rev. Dr. William “Bill” Martin Harris, Jr. 86, of Raphine Va., passed away peacefully at his home, surrounded by family, on Sunday, March 16, 2025.
Bill was born April 9, 1938 in Spottswood, Va., son of the late William Martin and Nellie Brown Coyner Harris.  He grew up in the historic Old Providence Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church and enjoyed working the family dairy farm with his brother, Charlie, their parents and grandparents, driving their Model A John Deere Tractor and raising many 4-H animals.  He graduated from Spottswood High School in 1955 and then from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1959 with a degree in Dairy Science.  He married Reta Fullen in July of 1959, and they worked in the family dairy business for five years.  Sensing the call to ministry, he, his wife and children then moved to Due West, SC where he attended and then graduated from Erskine Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity degree in 1967. In May of 1992, Bill was presented with the honorary degree, Doctor of Divinity from Erskine College in Due West, SC.  Bill served Wildhurst Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Roanoke, Va. from 1967 to 1971; New Sterling and Elk Shoals ARP Churches in Stony Point, NC from 1971 to 1978 and Edgemont ARP Church in Covington, Va. from 1978 to 1997, when he had to retire due to health reasons.  In May of 1998, a generous family chose to share organs from their loved one.  Bill received a heart transplant, and for nearly 27 full years, he protected this heart. He cared for so many people in so very many ways during these gifted years. He served as interim minister at Wildhurst ARP Church and then at Ebenezer ARP Church until the fall of 2024.  
Bill was a leader at every level of the Church.  He served in First Presbytery and Virginia Presbytery on various committees and in leadership roles.  On the denominational level he served on numerous committees of the General Synod and served as chairman of the Board of Christian Education.  One of the many ministries he supported was the establishment of Camp Joy at Bonclarken. Camp Joy is a ministry for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. He served on the Board of Trustees of Erskine College for 12 years, serving on various committees, including serving as chairman of the Presidential Search Committee in 1989-90.   Bill was also active in the communities in which he and his family lived, serving as a leader in 4-H clubs and the PTA.  He was one of the founders and later president of the Chaplaincy Program at Alleghany Regional Hospital, and he was involved in the development of a Hospice program in Alleghany County Va.  
Bill was a minister every day.  He found joy in communicating with others in all places and with purpose.  He was intent on hearing the stories of people’s lives, connecting with them, and sharing genuine concern.  He was humble and kind, a man of integrity and a devoted, loving and faithful church leader, husband, father, grandfather, son, uncle and friend.  He will be deeply missed by so many.   
Bill is survived by his wife and ministry partner of 65 years, Reta Fullen Harris; son, Douglas Harris and wife, Teresa; daughter Kathryn Trout, daughter Karen Valente and husband, Michael; granddaughter Krysta R. Trout; grandson Marty Harris, wife Jessica and great-grandson Liam; granddaughter Megan Caravas, husband Scott and great-grandson Ethan; grandson Elijah Trout and wife, Laura; grandson Alister Valente; sister-in-law Evelyn Harris, and numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews and cousins.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Dr. Charles C. Harris.  
The family will welcome visitors at Coffman Funeral Home in Staunton, VA on Thursday, March 20, 2025 from 5:00-7:30 pm and at Edgemont Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Covington, VA on Friday, March 21, 2025 from 11:30-12:30.  
Funeral services will be held on Friday, March 21, 2025 at 1:00 pm at Edgemont Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Covington, VA with the Rev. James MacDougall, the Rev. John Dorr and the Rev. Ike Hughes officiating.  Graveside service will be held Friday, March 21, 2025 at 5:00 pm at Old Providence Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Spottswood, VA with the Rev. Patrick Malphrus, the Rev. John Dorr and the Rev. Ike Hughes officiating. 
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts be made to Camp Joy Virginia and mailed to 918 S. Pleasantburg Dr., Suite 127, Greenville, SC 29607; Virginia Cottage at Bonclarken Maintenance Fund and mailed to Don Hampton 2324 S. Lewis Ave. Covington VA 24426; or The University of Virginia Transplant Assistance Fund check payable to University of Virginia Memo line: Virginia Transplant Assistance Fund (70071) P.O. Box 37963 Boone, IA 50037.
Active pallbearers will be Phil Phillippee, Bobby Harris, Brian Dodd, Josh Wykle, Martin Chittum, Adam Huffman, Danny Pope, Don Hampton, Butch Montgomery and John Higgins. 
The family expresses deep gratitude to the medical staff at the University of Virginia hospital and to Dr. Rob Marsh for the tremendous medical care Bill received over the last 30 years.
Coffman Funeral Home and Crematory, 230 Frontier Drive, Staunton is in charge of his arrangements. 
Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.coffmanfuneralhome.net