Willie Dawson Harris

Willie Dawson Harris, Jr. “Big Willie” of Dennis, Texas, 89, passed away in Fort Worth, Texas, on September 21, 2018, after a brief illness. Funeral services will be held on September 29, 2018, at the First Baptist Church in Dennis, Texas, beginning at 11:00 a.m.

Willie was born on December 16, 1928, in Washington, Arkansas, to Willie and Grace Stingley Harris in a wonderful Christian home. He made his profession of faith at the age of 12 in June, 1946. He attended Anacostia High School, Washington, DC, enjoying his favorite subjects, Band and Drill Team. He competed serving as drum major and leader. He attended Washita Baptist College in Arkadelphia, Arkansas and at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Willie’s business career included sales, management and market development in the television and Spanish radio industry in the Rio Grande Valley and Phoenix, Arizona. As a Colonel in the Confederate Air Force in Mercedes, Texas, he organized and led their first airshow in 1967. On December 21, 1949, he married the love of his life, Joyce Conquest. They were married for 68 years and had three wonderful boys.

Willie was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Robert Harris. 

Survivors include his wife, Joyce; his sons, Willie Dawson III (Roberta), John Duke (Lynn), and James Dana (Kerri); nine grandchildren, Elizabeth Marie, Matthew Dawson (Lauren), MaryKatherine Reithal Burns (Justin), Cole Dawson, Ashlee Francis, Zachary Aaron, Tyler Jade, Dana Gage (Noelle), Caitlyn Pauline (Brandon); seven great-grandchildren, Aidan Wyatt, Harlow EmmaRose, Rowan Ryker, Lyndan Jay, Hadley Riggs, Gracie Scout, and James Dawson; brother, George Thomas (Lynne); sister, Nina Lee McCarty; and numerous nieces and nephews.