William "Bill" Ira Harris

William “Bill” Ira Harris, 94, of Spencer passed away peacefully at Spencer Hospital on February 6, 2025. Bill was born on December 23, 1930 in Spencer to Emory and Violet (Craddock) Harris. 

As a young boy, Bill enjoyed playing with friends outside. When Bill was young, he was burned very badly and was not expected to live. Bill defied all the odds and God blessed him with a long, happy life of 94 years. Bill went to and graduated from Spencer High School in 1949. After high school he married his high school sweetheart Vangie Ness and they enjoyed raising their family. In November of 2024, Bill and Vangie celebrated their 74th wedding anniversary together.

When Shane was 13 years old, Bill bought him a horse so he would know what it was like to take care of something and be responsible for it. Bill had a great work ethic and passed that along to all his children, Shane, Joel and Julie. He loved to take his kids fishing at Okoboji.

Bill had a passion for golf and played in many tournaments. One being invited to play in Amana VIP that was held at Finkbine Golf Course in Iowa City. Bill played with leading PGA and LPGA pros, including Tom Kite, Beth Daniel, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson and Jerry Pate. Bill and Vangie had a lot of fun golfing together and enjoyed spending time with their many friends. He taught his kids and grandkids how to golf and they shared many years golfing together.

Bill worked at Nielsen’s Tire Company for more than 50 years and loved being a salesman, talking and making friends with many people in the community.

In Bill’s later years, he loved going to garage sales and auctions. He enjoyed having yard sales and sold many golf clubs to a lot of folks. 

He was a member of First English Church in Spencer. He was also a 32nd Degree Mason and member of Abu-Bekr Shriners.

Bill was a kind, good-hearted man who loved and cared very much for his family and friends. 

Bill was preceded in death by his parents, and grandson Caleb Harris.

Bill is survived by his wife of 74 years, Vangie; children Shane (Sandy) Harris of Montana, Joel Harris of Oregon and Julie Harris (Peter Rowland) of Colorado; one grandchild Chad (Bartanya) Harris; great-grandchildren Malchiah Hutchcraft, Isabella Harris, Makael Harris, Chance Harris and Cassandra Harris.