Quick Poll

Does your Thanksgiving travel plans include staying at home, traveling in-state or traveling out-of-state?

Blogs

Angela McRae

Tea with friends

Deberah Williams

Everyday Finesse

Lorrie Lynch

Who's News

Published Friday, October 02, 2009 in Business

Development Authority remembers Harrison

By Jeff Bishop

The Times-Herald

As the members of the Coweta County Development Authority prepared to head to Thursday's funeral for their former president, Bill Harrison, they paused to remember a man they said was "the medicine this county needed."

"I've been involved in this business a long time, and he was the exact medicine this county needed. I just can't express the admiration I have for Bill and for what he's done for us," said development authority board member and former county commissioner Jim McGuffey.

"I'm so pleased we had the opportunity to get him. He was a good man," said McGuffey. "I'm personally going to miss him. He was a wonderful man."

David Brown, chairman of the development authority, said that Coweta County has definitely had its share of cancer victims in recent years. He pointed to the death of local attorney and school board chairman Mitch Powell, followed by his wife, Anne Powell, this week.

"I don't know of any group that's been affected by cancer more than we have," he said.

That's why Harrison's role in securing the Cancer Treatment Centers of America for Coweta County is such an important and appropriate legacy, he said.

"I think that's something we can all be proud of," said Brown. "That's going to be Bill's legacy. That is the final project he brought to us.

"Now, if we can just get that doggone Certificate of Need approved soon," said Brown, "that cancer treatment center is going to have a positive effect for this county."

William B. "Bill" Harrison Jr. was born and raised in Madison, Ga., before moving to Jacksonville, Fla., graduating from Englewood High School. After being commissioned in the Navy, he served in the Vietnam War.

Harrison was honorably discharged and began a career in the retail industry. He later wrote for publications for various chambers of commerce and economic development organizations. His work in publishing led him to a leadership role in the economic development field.

After leading economic development efforts in Monticello and Milledgeville, Harrison served as president of the Coweta County Development Authority from 2003 until his retirement in July of this year.

During his tenure in Coweta County, Harrison assisted with locations or expansions of numerous companies, including PetSmart, SYGMA Networking, Kingwasong, Winpak Films, D&H Distribution, and MC Precast. But he considered the planned location of Cancer Treatment Centers of America to Coweta County the highlight of his professional career.

Harrison completed the Appalachian Trail by hiking two weeks every year from 1982-1999. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Appalachian Trail Conservancy in memory of Bill Harrison, P.O. Box 807, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425-0807. 304-535-6331 www.appalachiantrail.org .

Harrison is survived by his wife of 43 years, Virginia Heitzman Harrison; daughters, Jean Marie Harrison and Jennifer Harrison Cardin (Brian); grandson, Joshua Cardin; sister, Anita Hurst; brother, Keith Harrison (Leora); brother-in-law, Chuck Heitzman; and many cherished nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.

The family received guests Thursday at Saint Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, where the funeral service was held.

Comment On This Story

Times-Herald.com does not necessarily agree with the comments posted below. Responsibility of comments rests solely with the writer. Comments posted in ALL CAPS will be deleted.

Submission of a comment does not guarantee publication. Comments will be posted by a moderator after being scanned for abusive language, relevance, etc. See our Comments FAQ for more details.