1921
William
2015
William A. "Red" Harrison
December 4, 1921 — July 27, 2015
One of the proudest Marines to have survived World War II passed away on July 27, 2015. William A. "Red" Harrison, Atchison, KS, died at the age of 93. Mr. Harrison was living proof of the phrase "once a Marine, always a Marine." Throughout his life he spoke with pride of his service, wore his Marine Corps ring, and attended many of the annual 5th Marine Division reunions.
Memorial services will be Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at First Christian Church with Pastor Jim Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church, the Atchison Public Library, or the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final services.
Mr. Harrison served four years with the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II, mostly in the South Pacific. He completed parachute training and was assigned to the "A" Company 4th parachute battalion. Mr. Harrison was awarded the Purple Heart for bayonet wounds received in the battle of Iwo Jima. He watched the famed raising of the flag atop Mt. Suribachi while onboard a ship carrying injured Marines.
Mr. Harrison and 44 other members of Charlie Company, 26th Marine regiment, Fifth Marine division landed on the beaches at Iwo Jima. Only eight survived the battle.
On December 23, 1943, Mr. Harrison married Marian L. Costello, Atchison, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Los Angeles. They were married sixty years. Mrs. Harrison passed away on April 14, 2004.
Mr. Harrison was born on December 4, 1921, in Atchison, to William H. and Gladys Scott Harrison. He was a 1939 graduate of Atchison High School.
Mr. Harrison was a carpenter and he worked for local contractors for twenty years. In the early 1960s, he went to work for the Post Engineers at Fort Leavenworth, until his retirement in 1983.
He was a member of the First Christian Church, American Legion Post #6, VFW Post #1175, Fifth Marine Division Association, Pineview Country Club, and the Association of Survivors: World War II Parachute Units.
He was an avid golfer and was one of the founding members of Pineview Country Club. He played regularly.
Survivors include three daughters and their husbands: Carol and Norm Cygan, Denver, CO; Marilyn and Ted Rodgers, Ballwin, MO; Patty and Nick Spehart, Shawnee, KS; one grandson, Jack and Sandy Healy, Atchison; two granddaughters, Sarah Rodgers, Mercerville, NJ, and Ellen Rodgers, Denver, CO; four great granddaughters, Carolyn, Claire, Ava, and Celine Healy; a sister, Mrs. Anita Dickeson, Atchison; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harrison always said "the two greatest joys in my life have been my family and serving my country in World War II."
Memorial services will be Thursday, July 30, 2015 at 10:00 A.M. at First Christian Church with Pastor Jim Robinson officiating. Burial will follow in Mt. Calvary Cemetery. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Christian Church, the Atchison Public Library, or the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation. Arensberg-Pruett Funeral Home has been entrusted with the final services.
Mr. Harrison served four years with the U. S. Marine Corps during World War II, mostly in the South Pacific. He completed parachute training and was assigned to the "A" Company 4th parachute battalion. Mr. Harrison was awarded the Purple Heart for bayonet wounds received in the battle of Iwo Jima. He watched the famed raising of the flag atop Mt. Suribachi while onboard a ship carrying injured Marines.
Mr. Harrison and 44 other members of Charlie Company, 26th Marine regiment, Fifth Marine division landed on the beaches at Iwo Jima. Only eight survived the battle.
On December 23, 1943, Mr. Harrison married Marian L. Costello, Atchison, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Los Angeles. They were married sixty years. Mrs. Harrison passed away on April 14, 2004.
Mr. Harrison was born on December 4, 1921, in Atchison, to William H. and Gladys Scott Harrison. He was a 1939 graduate of Atchison High School.
Mr. Harrison was a carpenter and he worked for local contractors for twenty years. In the early 1960s, he went to work for the Post Engineers at Fort Leavenworth, until his retirement in 1983.
He was a member of the First Christian Church, American Legion Post #6, VFW Post #1175, Fifth Marine Division Association, Pineview Country Club, and the Association of Survivors: World War II Parachute Units.
He was an avid golfer and was one of the founding members of Pineview Country Club. He played regularly.
Survivors include three daughters and their husbands: Carol and Norm Cygan, Denver, CO; Marilyn and Ted Rodgers, Ballwin, MO; Patty and Nick Spehart, Shawnee, KS; one grandson, Jack and Sandy Healy, Atchison; two granddaughters, Sarah Rodgers, Mercerville, NJ, and Ellen Rodgers, Denver, CO; four great granddaughters, Carolyn, Claire, Ava, and Celine Healy; a sister, Mrs. Anita Dickeson, Atchison; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Harrison always said "the two greatest joys in my life have been my family and serving my country in World War II."
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