“Rabbit” Willie Frank Harris

Edwards Small Mortuary announces with our deepest sympathy the passing of  “Rabbit” Willie Frank Harris on August 5, 2023.  Our condolences to the family and friends.

Willie Frank Harris, affectionately known as (Rabbit) was born on July 9, 1945 in Crawford County, Georgia to the late Willie J. and Smithy Hill Harris. He was the first born and only boy of three siblings, two (Cinderella Danielly and Deloris Carson) of which preceded him in death. He joined the Ross Chapel AME Church at an early age, where his granddaddy, William Harris served as a deacon. Later following in his grandfather’s footsteps, he became a deacon and eventually became Chairman of the Deacon Board.

He attended Crawford County Training School, where he graduated in 1962. After completion of high school, he joined the United States Army, serving five years of active duty. Following his completion of active duty, he joined the Army National Guard and later gained employment at Robins Airforce Base (RAFB) as a janitor. While working at RAFB, he decided to take some college courses and obtained certification in Electrical and Wood-work.

He was determined to continue to move up the ladder. So moving through the ranks became his mission and journey, which led to him becoming the first African American to obtain the position of Chief of Fuel Distribution POL at RAFB (which still remains) today. After retiring with a total of 50 plus years serving his country that included the United States Army, Robins Air Force Base and the Army National Guard with the rank of Sergeant First Class. Meanwhile, he began to serve in his community by becoming a member of the Crawford County Volunteer Fire Department. As one of the original members of the Crawford County Volunteer Fire Department (Station #7). While serving as a volunteer for the Crawford County Fire Department he received his Fireman’s Certification and was later promoted to Battalion Chief on April 12, 2012. He was devoted to risking his life in order to serve his community for more than 40+ years. He also served in the Elections Department for 21 plus years and during that time, he served 18 of those years as a Poll Supervisor for Crawford County, Georgia.

Additionally, he served on the Clean and Beautiful Committee for 17 years. There are many more accomplishments and achievements that were not mentioned because he was never one who liked to talk, boast or brag about his accomplishments and did not like for someone else to do it. Humbleness was his way and he would say, “May the work I’ve done speak for me; God, made the way”.

On July 20, 1967 he was joined in holy Matrimony to his marble playing friend, Barbara J. Daniels (Bob) and they shared 56 years together. To this union two daughters blossomed, Casandra and Tawanna Harris Willie was also preceded in death by six brothers-in-law.

He leaves to cherish loving memories, his wife, Barbara J. Daniels Harris (Bob); two daughters: Casandra D. Harris of Roberta, GA; and Dr. Tawanna Harris-Woodson (Julian)of McDonough, GA; five grandchildren: Algernon J. Harris (Ashley) Fayetteville, NC, Quatavin Y. Harris of Roberta, GA, both of these two grands were raised as his sons; Brian Ross, Jr. of Augusta, GA and Shaquetta and Sha-Kell Beard of Augusta, GA; six great- grands: Autasia Harris, Naajiyah Calloway, Ava Harris, Harleigh and Ameila Beard and A ‘Zora Harris; two aunts: Phedifa Boyer of Ft. Valley, GA and Earlene Hollis (Frank) of Roberta, GA; one uncle; George Harris
(Kitty) of Ft. Valley, GA; seven sisters-in-law: Vera Bryant of Conyers, GA; Cleonia Corbin of Roberta, GA; Florazella Talton, Nettie Daniels, Hommia Walker (Homer), Linda Gibson (Clarence) and Audrey Daniels, all of Ft. Valley, GA; three brothers-in-law: Sylvester Daniels, Chattanooga, TN; Donnie Daniels, Ft. Valley, GA; and Walter Danielly, Macon, GA; his group of “Hey Fella” includes: Bobby Day, as his “ride or die”; long time camping and fishing buddy (that he cherished as a best bud), Lonnie Anderson, whom he treated like a son; Garrett Milton, his telling it like it is friend; Leon Schofield, his fishing cousin; Calvin Weaver, whom he
considered as a father-figure in his life; Horace Soloman, his church protégé’; SGT Melvin Griffin, monthly gossip buddy; Eric and Cynthia Simpson, (special occasion friends) along with a host of dedicated nieces, nephews, cousins, and so many more affectionate friends that we can’t name them all but who will always remember his loving spirit.

Inside Story

His daddy (Willie J. Harris) always said that he was a man of few words, BUT when E. F. Hutton spoke,
“You just shut up and listen”
Alma Hill Marshall and John Dallas Hill (Chop) he said, “To Keep The Torch Burning!”