Bill Eugene Harris
Marriages
Evelyn Lucille Tebedo - September 2, 1950
Obituaries
The Daily Sentinel page 6A - February 1, 2023
Bill Eugene Harris, 97,
passed away on January
22, 2023 at his home in
Littleton, Colorado. He
was the only child born
to Myrtle Edith Edington
Harris and Douglas
Whitney Harris at the
Harris Ranch on Grand
Mesa, Colorado in his grandparent’s home. He lived
nearby with his parents at their ranch where he was an
independent and well-loved boy, roaming and freely
exploring his beloved Grand Mesa. He briefly attended
Molina’s two room schoolhouse and the small school
in Mesa until the 11th grade when he moved to Grand
Junction to finish school where he boarded at his aunt
Julia Harris’ home. While at Grand Junction High
School he met Evelyn Lucille Tebedo whom he would
go on to marry on September 2, 1950.
Upon graduation, Bill entered the US Navy serving
from March 1944 to 1946. He then attended school at
Mesa College (now Colorado Mesa University) before
receiving his Engineering degree from the University
of Denver in 1950. Bill went on to work throughout
Colorado, first for the US Geological Survey performing
surface water monitoring (Denver and then Grand
Junction) before working for the Upper Colorado River
Conservancy District in Glenwood Springs. He then
became a manager for the Umcompahgre Valley Waters
Users Association in Montrose. In 1964 Bill became the
owner of the Twitty Abstract Company (now known as
Title Services, Inc.) in Raton, New Mexico.
Evelyn and Bill lived in Raton for 46 years where
they were active community members. Bill served as
president of the New Mexico Land Title Association
from 1971-1972. He was also a long time member in
the Raton Rotary Club and the Elks Lodge. As part
of the Raton Chamber, Bill worked to bring and help
run a motor vehicle licensing office back to Raton. Bill
continued to operate Title Services until his retirement
in 1990 when his son, Bob Harris, took over the
business. After retirement Bill continued to assist Title
Services and worked as a land surveyor throughout
Colfax County. In 2010, the couple moved to Littleton,
Colorado.
Bill and Evelyn lived a full life raising a family while
building a successful business. Their active lifestyle
reflected their diverse interests including education,
music, travel, culture, history, and art. Throughout
his life, Bill loved watching wildlife and continued to
enjoy being outdoors, walking and golfing as much
as possible. He was an avid golfer playing into his
90s. The couple was especially proud of their family
and maintained close ties with their children. While
Evelyn preceded Bill in death (in April 2022), they
are survived by their four children: Robert David
‘Bob’ Harris (wife Kathy Porter Harris) of Raton, New
Mexico; Denise Marie (Bacca) Ries (husband Mark
Ries) of Littleton, Colorado; Mary Jean Harris (partner
Thomas A. Romero) of Littleton, Colorado; and Nancy
Ann Holub (husband James ‘Pete’ Holub) of Louviers,
Colorado. Their grandchildren include: Jennifer Marie
Bacca Mills; Darlene Renee Bacca Nichols; Christina
Diane Bacca Caldwell; Cameron Joseph Holub (who
proceeded him in death), Spencer Arvid Holub, and
James Laurence Holub. There are also 6 (soon to be 7)
great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews;
and dear friends.
Services were held on Monday, January 30, 2023,
at the Chapel at Ellis Family Services, 13436 West
Arbor Place, Littleton, Colorado, 80127. Condolences
can be made online on Bill’s Tribute Wall at www.
EllisFamilyServices.com.
In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a
donation in Bill’s memory to the charity of your choice.
Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the care of Ellis
Family Services, Funeral and Memorial Care, 13436 W.
Arbor Place, Littleton, CO 80127.
