Gale Harris, 83, of Greenville, died Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2019, at his home with his wife and children at his side.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Nov. 16, at Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. Interment followed in Montrose Cemetery.
Mr. Harris was born Jan. 9, 1936, in Greenville, the son of James C. and Goldia Lee (Witherbee) Harris. He married Linda Wafflard on Aug. 17, 1957, and they later divorced. He then married Pauline Mery on Sept. 3, 1981, and she survives.
He grew up in Greenville, attended the local schools and graduated from Greenville High School with the class of 1954.
After school, he served his country in the United States Marine Corps, enlisting on June 28, 1954. He served for two years, and received the National Defense Service Medal. He was honorably discharged on June 7, 1956.
A hard worker his entire life, he started building grain bins around the Midwest. Then, he worked for Coates Steel Ball for over 20 years until they closed. He worked in the coal mines in Albers and Coffeen, and worked as a barber part-time at Elite Barber Shop in Greenville.
For 24 years, he worked for First Bank and Trust (People's Bank) in Greenville, and also did painting on the side.
In addition to his wife of 38 years, he is survived by two daughters, Sue (husband Bill) Traylor of Greenville and Patty Gilman of Wells, ME; two sons, Mike (wife Valerie) Wilkerson of Greenville and Mark (wife Jessie) Wilkerson of Mulberry Grove; eight grandchildren, Robert "Bobby" Carter of Mulberry Grove, Jamie Carter of Greenville, Melanie (husband Steve) Smith of Wells, ME, Matthew (wife Breann) Wilkerson of Greenville, Devin Kimbro of Greenville, Jacob Wilkerson of Belleville, Allison (husband Jacob) Speicer of Carlyle and Nicholas Wilkerson of Keyesport; great-grandchildren, Madalyn, Wyatt and Abby; and brother, Jerry Harris of Carrollton, GA.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Phyllis Jobe, James Harris, Max Harris and Delores Brown.
Memorials may be made to Woburn Baptist Church.
Online condolences may be left at www.donnellwiegand.com.
