- Date Of Birth: February 3, 1933
- Date Of Death: December 8, 2015
- State: Illinois
Virgil L. “Jr.” Harris, Jr., age 82, of Centralia, passed away Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia.
Jr. was born on February 3, 1933 in Centralia, a son to Virgil “Buddy” L. Harris, Sr. and Alliene (Allen) Harris Foltz. He married Sharon Donoho on May 18, 1963 and she survives in Centralia.
In addition to his wife, he is also survived by a son, Nathan Harris of Centralia; four daughters, Melissa Wheritt and husband John of Clarksville, TN, Jerri Ann Hiltibidal and husband Shawn of Edwardsville, IL, Kelly Rousseau and husband George of Mesa, AZ and Stella Jean Harris of Pennsylvania; five grandchildren, Joshua, Jonathan, Brenden, Paige and Shannon; three sisters, Pamela Haake and husband Dennis of Hoffman, IL, Brenda Wheeler and husband Denny of Evansville, IN and Angie Gansauer and husband Tom of Centralia; step-brother, Charles Foltz of Centralia; sister-in-law, Pat Pettersson of Salem and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Tammy Alliene Harris; a granddaughter, Amanda Purcell; a brother, Richard Pettersson and a step-brother, Jimmy Foltz.
Jr. was of the Baptist faith and a former member of First Baptist Church in Centralia. He served in the U.S. Marine Corp for 16 years. He was a member of the American Legion Post 446 and VFW Post 2055.
Jr. was an avid hunter, enjoyed fishing, gardening, feeding wild birds, and his four-legged companions, Smokey, Soni and Susie. Most of all he loved spending time with family and friends.
