Tayvri Holley
81w
Grandpa With My Kids
I have just a few photos of grandpa with my kids. Hartley’s blessing day, a camping trip in Moody, a summer evening at the Clays, and him meeting baby Bron for the first time.
Beloved father, grandfather, and friend
William Jerry Harris
May 19, 1941 – August 16, 2023
Lived 82 years
Sugar City Cemetary · Sugar City, Idaho
Life story
William Jerry Harris, 82, of Rexburg, Idaho, passed away on August 16, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.
Jerry was born May 19, 1941, at home in Salem, Idaho, to William Spence and Ruth (Park) Harris. He grew up on the family farm and attended school in Sugar City, Idaho. During his Senior year of High School, Jerry took the state title in Welding. He graduated from Sugar-Salem High School and received a scholarship to the University of Idaho, but he chose not to attend.
On January 31, 1961, he married Norma Lee Romrell. To this union were born six children. The family made their home in Salem. The couple later divorced.
He held numerous jobs. He became a supervisor at Roger Brothers Potato, then went to work for the International Dealer in Ririe and transitioned to Stone’s Town and Country as a farm machinery mechanic. From there, he went to Gem State Irrigation before starting his career in the laser land leveling industry. On top of all of that, he was a rancher and a farmer. He usually found success in anything he did.
Jerry was well known throughout the valley for his welding skills and ability to fix or repair close to anything. He was an avid hunter and a skilled fisherman. In his later years, he developed many hobbies, from restoring old cars and tractors to hunting arrowheads. His passions led him to become a master flint knapper and the study of Native American History. If he wasn’t in his shop, you could locate him in Valley Wide catching up on the latest news.
Jerry came across as a rough, tough, hard-shelled man, but deep down, he was extremely giving and willing to assist where any help may be needed. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. His favorite calling was Emergency Preparedness and Survival, where he designed, built, and installed hand water pumps throughout the Salem Wards. He was fascinated with Genealogy and family history.
Jerry is survived by his children Suzette (Kevin) Clay, Chad (Allison) Harris, Josh (Crystal) Harris, and not to forget his favorite four-legged friend, Chester, 24 Grandchildren and 13 Great Grandchildren. Brothers: Lorin (Cathy) Harris and Randy (Rita) Harris. Sisters: Cheryl (Nyle) Tanner and Sandy (John) Dexter.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Becky Paesl and brother-in-law Reed Paesl.
Photos
Photo book
William’s life, in a printed book
We design every page from William’s 25 photos. Make it yours, then order a copy for everyone who loved William.
Lifetime
The world William knew
Family milestones in gold, history for context
1941
Born May 19
1942
William was 1 when Bing Crosby recorded "White Christmas"
1959
William was 18 when Barbie made her debut
1963
William was 22 when Martin Luther King Jr. gave his "I Have a Dream" speech
1974
William was 33 when Richard Nixon resigned the presidency
1982
William was 41 when Michael Jackson released "Thriller"
1998
William was 57 when "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was published in America
2001
William was 60 when Apple introduced the iPod
2017
William was 76 when "Fortnite" became a video game phenomenon
2022
William was 81 when ChatGPT was released to the public
2023
Passed away August 16, age 82
Tributes and memories
6 memories shared
No account needed. Have one? Sign in
Tayvri Holley
81w
Grandpas 80th Birthday
For Grandpa’s 80th birthday we all got together to celebrate him. We had tacos at Chad’s house and enjoyed our time together.
Suzette Clay
96w
Dads Last Scraping Job 2020
Dad was always a go getter. He would never sit down because there was always something to do. One day he said “I think we should scrape your field. It would water so good.“ When I got home from work, he was in the field in his tractor working. He pulled out all his old equipment and got it up and running, chopped the leftover grain, and disced the field. He wore a mask the whole time to make sure he kept the dust out of his lungs. He worked from morning until dark to finish the field. I kept telling him I would pay for his fuel and he would say “we will catch up later, we will catch up later”. This took about a week to finish. This was his last scrape job that he ever did and he was 79 years old at the time. I’m thankful for these memories I had with my dad and his willingness to help me. Truthfully I think this was more for him (to keep himself busy), then it was for me.❤️
MaKell Adamson
96w
St. Anthony Sand Dunes 2005
Jerry took Kevin and Suzette to the sand dunes on a sand rail ride. The ride ended up with Suzette about crashing the sand rail because he said “Get in and give it the gas”, and Kevin ended up throwing up due to motion sickness.😂🤢
MaKell Adamson
96w
Family Camping Trip 2008
We spent the weekend in Moody Meadows riding four wheelers. Such fun memories spent together.🖤
Kenyon Clay
96w
papa jerry 🫶🏼
grandpa always had a sense of humor, even during the times he could be stubborn 😅 he was a supporter and was willing to help out a friend whenever needed. people often say that he was the most handiest men they’ve ever met, which is true. i always looked up to how hard of a worker he was and his hobbies he had. every time grandpa went to costco he would pick me up a jar of spicy pickles cause he knew how much i loved them, it became one of our favorite things every thursday after he went to costco🫶🏼 at one point i had like 3 jars in the fridge, now i miss having them.
Family and friends
Help manage William's memorial
Family members and close friends can help add photos, stories and moments from William's life. Ask the family to add you.
Sign in to ask · Swipe for more