Leroy Harris

Mr. Leroy Harris of Vaucluse, SC passed away peacefully on Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the Select Care Specialty Hospital in Augusta, GA.



Mr. Harris was the son of the late Henry Harris and Lillie Mae Rushton Harris Kneece. Born in Edgefield, SC on July 10, 1925, he spent his early years in Millen, Georgia and then lived in Vaucluse, SC most of his life. He is preceded in death by his wife of 42 years, Marian Hancock Harris.



He is survived by a daughter, Rhonda (Auren) Mitchell of Aiken, SC, a son, The Reverend Monsignor Richard D. Harris, V.G. of Columbia, SC, three granddaughters, April (Ed) Flowers, Trenton, SC, Stayci (Russell) Logue of North Augusta, SC, Shannon Mitchell and a grandson, Auren (Mitch) Mitchell, both of Aiken, SC. In addition, he is survived by 6 great grandchildren, Braulio Hernandez, Lacey, Jaxon, and Jordan Flowers, Trenton, SC, Blake and Brennan Logue, North Augusta, SC, a dear friend of 20 years, Willa Mae Wilson of Warrenville, SC, a brother Floyd (Evelyn) Harris, Aiken, 3 sisters, Zora Mae (William) Harris, Vaucluse, SC, Naomi Padgett, and Glenda (Sammie) Napier, both of Aiken, SC, and a number of nieces and nephews. Besides his wife and his parents, he is pre-deceased by a sister, Mable Turner, and three brothers, John Harris, Calvin and Eugene Kneece.



A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC at 11:00 am on Saturday, November 6, 2010. Celebrant will be Monsignor Richard D. Harris. Burial will be at the Vaucluse cemetery in Vaucluse, SC at 4:30 pm Saturday afternoon with military honors. A visitation will be held at the Napier Funeral Home, 315 Main Street, Graniteville, SC on Friday evening, November 5, 2010 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.

A memorial service will be held at the Vaucluse United Methodist Church on a date to be announced.



Pallbearers will be Mr. Alan Redd, Mr. Donnie Turner, Mr. Russell Barton, Mr. Steve Moore, Dr. William Neumann, Dr. M. Todd Crump, Mr. Timothy Harley and Clarence Palmer.



Honorary pallbearers will be his World War II buddies, Robert O. Riddick , Batesville, Mississippi. Harry D. Campbell, State College, Pennsylvania, Mr. Floyd Stone, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania and the members of The Military Order of the Purple Heart Cpl. Matthew Dillon Memorial Chapter #2005.



Mr. Harris was a Sergeant in the 4th Infantry Division, 22nd Regiment, 1st Battalion, Company A United States Army during World War II who was part of the first wave forces that landed on Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He fought in five major campaigns during the war.



Mr. Harris was awarded the Purple Heart for injuries sustained on July 29, 1944 at the Battle of the Hedgerows. On December 25, 1944 at the Battle of the Bulge in Luxembourg, he was once again wounded, and was later awarded two Oak leaf Clusters. He returned to active service after his recovery and remained until he was Honorably Discharged on October 23, 1945. During his time in the United States Army he was decorated with the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge.

After his discharge, he became active in the National 4th Infantry (Ivy) Division Association, the 22nd Infantry Division Association and The Military Order of the Purple Heart Cpl. Matthew Dillon Memorial Chapter #2005.



He is retired as a supervisor from the Vaucluse Division of the Graniteville Company with 45 years of service.



Memorials may be made to: St. Joseph Catholic Church or School, 3600 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205, St. Mary Help of Christians Church or School, 203 Park Ave. SE, Aiken, SC 29801, The Vaucluse United Methodist Church, PO Box 19, Vaucluse, SC 29850, or The Military Order of the Purple Heart Cpl. Matthew Dillon Memorial Chapter #2005 P.O. Box 3343, Aiken, SC 29802.



Napier Funeral Home, Graniteville, SC is in charge of the arrangements.

You can visit the online guest register at www.napierfuneralhomeinc.com