William K. Harris ’62

Bill died Nov. 10, 2016, after a long battle with cancer.

Bill came to Princeton from The Hill School. He majored in architecture, was in the Army ROTC, and dined at Cloister Inn. His roommates were Bruce Partridge and Armand Fell. After graduation, he married Helen Tenney.

Bill served in Army Intelligence as a field commander in Bayreuth, West Germany. He extended his first tour for two additional years at the request of his superiors. He pursued additional studies in architecture and earned an MBA upon returning home.

Bill remained in the Army Reserve and became a Green Beret. He was recalled to active duty in 1979 and was involved in construction projects for the Army Corps of Engineers at the Pentagon. He retired as a lieutenant colonel in 1990 and later worked in the private sector as a consultant.

Sailing was Bill’s primary passion, and he won several trophies in the Thistle class along the East Coast. These open-hulled boats are fast and tippy — just ask Al Barr.

Bill is survived by Helen, children Robert and Amy and their families, and his 102-year-old mother, Kathryn, whom he had recently visited. The class offers its condolences to them all.