William Harris: former Babylonian, developer
by Tiffany Elliott

William E. Harris, who lived in the Babylon area for 17 years, died April 18, 2007 in Rocky River, Ohio. He was 73 years old.

A developer by trade, he built many housing apartments in the Cleveland, Ohio area where he was born. In 1965, he settled on Pen- insula Drive in Babylon when he became executive vice president of J.C. Penney Realty.

Mr. Harris was instrumental in building many regional department stores, such as JC Penney, theaters and office buildings in New York City and Boston. In 1982 he returned to Ohio. In 1986 he became the senior vice president of corporate development for Home Depot when it was a small venture and helped build it to what it is today. He retired in 1997 in Rocky River, Ohio.

According to his family, he was a member of the Westwood Country Club, the Cleveland Yacht Club and the International Council of Shopping Centers, the latter of which he was a trustee. During his time in Babylon he loved to fish and boat, according to his family.

Mr. Harris leaves behind his wife, Nancy M. (nee Schwartz); his four children; and seven grandchildren.

He reposed at the Busch Funeral Home, 21369 Center Ridge Road, Fairview Park, Ohio on April 22, 2007. Religious services were held at St. Peter's Episcopal Church, 18001 Detroit Avenue, Lakewood. Entombment followed at Sunset Memorial Park.

Donations in Mr. Harris' name can be sent to the William E. Harris Scholarship Fund, c/o The Cleveland Foundation, 1422 Euclid ave., Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

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