William Benjamin Harrison

William B. "Bill" Harrison, Jr. William B. "Bill" Harrison, Jr. was born and raised in Madison, Ga. moved to Jacksonville, FL. graduating from Englewood High School. He is graduate of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, TN, and was a member of the Navy ROTC. After being commissioned in the Navy, he served in the Vietnam War. Bill was honorably discharged and began a career in the retail industry. He later wrote for publications for various chamber of commerce and economic development organizations. His work in publishing led him to a leadership role in the economic development field. Bill enjoyed every day of his economic development career and considered each opportunity "a great honor and privilege to serve the community." After leading economic development efforts in Monticello and Milledgeville, Harrison served as president of the Coweta County Development Authority from 2003 until his retirement in July of this year. During his tenure in Coweta County, Harrison assisted with locations or expansions of numerous companies, including PetSmart, SYGMA Networking, Kingwasong, Winpak Films, D&H Distribution, MC Precast. He considered the planned location of Cancer Treatment Centers of America to Coweta County the highlight of his professional career. Bill was an avid outdoorsman and in his spare time he enjoyed hiking and backpacking. He completed the Appalachian Trail by hiking 2 weeks every year from 1982-1999. Bill was a member of Kiwanis Club of Newnan and was active in Newnan-Coweta Habitat for Humanity. Bill is preceded in death by his mother and stepfather, Evelyn and John Tochem, and his father, William B. Harrison, Sr. He is survived by his wife of 43 years Virginia Heitzman Harrison, daughters, Jean Marie Harrison and Jennifer Harrison Cardin (Brian), grandson, Joshua Cardin, sister, Anita Hurst, brother, Keith Harrison (Leora), brother-in-law Chuck Heitzman and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles. The family will receive guests Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 9:30 a.m. at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, 3 Village Road Newnan, GA. The memorial service will be at 10:30 a.m. at St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in memory of Bill Harrison, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807. 304-535-6331 www.appalachiantrail.org McKoon Funeral Home 770-253-4580

William Benjamin Harrison

July 11, 1942 - September 29, 2009