Bill E. Harris, 64, died March 1 at his Prairie City home after a long battle with cancer. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at the Prairie City Community Center.

Mr. Harris was born June 9, 1947, in Broken Bow, Okla., to T.A. and Marguerite Harris. In 1965, he graduated from Prairie City High School, where he was a core member of the basketball and baseball teams. He was drafted into the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, where he served from 1966-1968.

On Aug. 21, 1976, he married Jennifer (Lou) Harris.

For over 40 years, he worked in the logging industry, starting as a choker setter and catskinner, with Hudspeth Lumber Company. He was a woods boss for Iron Triangle Logging Company, and later started his own business, Harris Resource Enterprises, which he operated for 18 years.

He enjoyed working in the woods, fighting fire, rodeo, roping and riding. He owned horses, and raised two Oregon State AQHA champion mares and a colt that placed in the national Limited Open Finals of the NRCHA Snaffle Bit Futurity.

He was a member of John Day Elks Lodge 1824 and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Survivors include his wife, Jennifer; sister, Virginia (Gene) Winnett of John Day; brothers, Richard Harris and Jack (Cynthia) Harris of Prairie City; brothers-in-law, Jan (Julanne) Lou of Charlton, Mass., Peter Lou of St. Paul, Minn., and Kris Lou of Salem; five nieces; and one nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his daughters, Amanda and Stacey Harris.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation through Driskill Memorial Chapel, 241 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.