William Gibson Harris ’39

Gib died May 1, 2000, in Ocean Ridge, Fla. After earning his law degree at the U. of Virginia in 1942, he worked as an attorney for the War Production Board before becoming a legal adviser on the staff of Gen. Eisenhower in Berlin. He then settled in Richmond, where with two partners he founded his own law firm, which eventually became what is today McGuire, Woods, Battle and Boothe. Until he retired as senior partner in 1988, he specialized in trusts and estates and matters of business law. He served as chair of the board of Virginia Capital and Southern Industries, and three Virginia governors appointed him to the Virginia Industrial Services Advisory Board. He was pres. of the Virginia Bar Assn. from 1973-75. He particularly loved his service as chair of the board of St. Christopher's School (his alma mater) and as pres. of the Church Schools in the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia. He also served as our class pres. from 1973-74.

With Jane, his wife of 57 years, daughter Loring, son W. Gibson II, six grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, we give thanks for the rich and rewarding life he shared with us.

The Class of 1939