William Ralph Harris

BANGOR - William R. “Bill” Harris, 58, passed away at his home with his loving wife, Lettie (Burns) by his side on January 5, 2026. Bill was born on September 23rd, 1967, in Abington Pennsylvania, the son of Charles E. Harris and Jane F. (Eames) Page.

Bill attended Hampden Academy, Class of 1985. He acquired his GED at age 16 and was on a bus headed to Fort Sill, North Carolina for the US Army bootcamp on his 17th birthday. He enlisted as a Field Artillery Soldier and was stationed at Camp Stanley in South Korea.

Bill enjoyed experiencing all life had to offer. He participated in the Stone Mountain Highland Games and was awarded 1st place as the “overall amateur athlete of the day” at the 21st annual tournament in 1993. He played football for many years starting with varsity football at Hampden Academy in 8th grade. In his adult years, Bill played college, arena, and semi pro football for several teams along the east coast. He received a personal invitation to try out for the Carolina Panthers in preparation for their upcoming 1995 inaugural season. Bill created, owned, and played for the semi pro football team, The Downeast Sea Dragons in Old Town, Maine. “Big Bad Bill” was a force on the field. He was nominated for the 2005 Minor League Football Hall of Fame and competed in many FASCO Free Agent Scouting Combines and All-Star games. Bill helped establish youth football programs at Hermon and Mount Blue Middle Schools. He coached football at Hampden Academy and Old Town YMCA Youth Football. Bill was also an EMT for the towns of Greenbush, Searsport, and Lincoln, an Anah Temple Shriner, and self-taught bass player with the band, Full Count. Additionally, Bill was a long-haul truck driver, which gave him joy and the ability to explore the country. Of all his responsibilities, the most important one to him was being a loving and devoted father and husband.

Bill met his wife, Lettie, at a Christmas party in 1996, engaged to his sweetheart in April 1997, and the couple married August 3rd, 2001, in Brooks, Maine. Bill was a quick-witted jokester who had a zest for life and unwavering devotion to the Lord. He held fast to his faith throughout his life and many overwhelming medical diagnoses. Surviving in addition to his soulmate, Lettie, are his daughters Breanna and Brooke; his sons Cameron and Aidan; mother, Jane Page of Florida; sister Roberta Vachon and her husband David of Bangor and close friends, Rocky Lane of Ellsworth and Dale Babcock of Old Town. Bill was predeceased by his father, Charles E Harris in 1993.

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life. Date, time, and location will be disclosed via Facebook. Condolences to the family may be expressed at SimpleCremationofMaine.com.