Wayne Harrison

William "Wayne" Harrison, 87, of Orange, passed away on February 25, 2021, at home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, March 2, 2021, at St. Francis Catholic Church in Orange. Officiating will be Father Sinclair Oubre. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Orange.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 1, 2021, with a rosary beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Born in Terral, Oklahoma, on May 25, 1933, he was the son of George L. Harrison and Lea (Tindol) Harrison. Wayne served for the Marine Corps from 1953-1958 at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, Ca. and was part of Camp Pendleton California for two Tours in South Korea. After his time in the Marines, he went on to serve for the United States Navy. It was during this time that he did most of his tours, including the USS Montrose APA-212, the USS Sperry (AS-12), the NTC Pensacola, Florida (3 tours), the KAS Turkey, NCC Finegayan-Guam and NSA Ft. George G. Meade in Maryland. He then transferred to Fleet Reserve in May of 1974 and moved to Orange, Texas. Wayne eventually retired from the Navy July 1, 1982 and chose to reside here with his family.

Although Wayne was born in Oklahoma, he was raised in Big Springs, Texas. This is where he met the love of his life, Peggy while on leave at a local place called The Wagon Wheel. September 19, 1959 they were married after two dates and only six months after meeting. Wayne and Peggy, along with the rest of their family enjoyed spending time with their lifelong friends, Joe and Lucille Durling. They would spend every Christmas together, as well as get together every Sunday. To show you how close these friends were, they purchased burial plots alongside each other.

Wayne had a special way with people every wherever he went. He never met a stranger and was loved and adored by many. He and Peggy enjoyed breakfast every other Sunday at Denny’s, or if they became bored, they would take a ride over to the Delta Casino to play the slots. Their favorite lunch spot was Wendy’s, where Wayne had a special bond with the people who worked there.

Wayne enjoyed spending time outside, whether it was doing yard work or taking his favorite fur baby, Minnie out to play every evening at 5. Wherever you saw him, she was right by his side. They would even take trips to the carwash together.

Wayne was a “jack of all trades” type of man. Out of his many hobbies, his favorite hobby was to search for old furniture in the neighborhood or on the side of the road. He would refinish the pieces and then turn around and sell them for a small fee.

Wayne was a special human who loved life and all the people in it. He held his family close and loved his friends dearly and continuously built bonds with people everywhere he went.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George and Lea Harrison; and five sisters and five brothers.

He is survived by his loving wife, Peggy Harrison; children, Terry Harrison and wife Stephanie of Orange, Mylia Hickman and husband James of Garrison, Laurie Harrison of Orange, Frank Joy and wife Cheryl of Big Spring, and Leonard Joy and wife Ann of Odessa; fur baby, Minnie; 14 grandchildren; 18 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; as well as numerous other loving family and friends.

Serving as pallbearers will be Terry Harrison, Leonard Joy, Tommy Nguyen, Krisopher Harrison, and V.L. Grimes. Honorary pallbearer is Frank Joy.