The City of Lakewood lost a great leader this weekend with the passing of Retired Army Lieutenant General (LTG) William “Bill” Harrison.
Harrison was a driving force behind the City of Lakewood’s incorporation and served as first mayor from 1995 through 2003, completing his service on the City Council in 2005.
Those who knew him credit Harrison for the success of Lakewood’s fourth and final incorporation effort. Some referred to him as the “Father of Lakewood,” although it was a nickname Harrison wouldn’t accept. He credited the “people who made it a community” as the early framers of the city.
“Bill Harrison’s contributions to Lakewood are legion,” said Lakewood’s current mayor, Jason Whalen. “Following incorporation, Mayor Harrison spearheaded the significant work to establish Lakewood’s initial municipal code and Council policies which guided this young city’s delivery of municipal services to its residents. Throughout his tenure, Mayor Harrison lead with vision, tenacity, and by building consensus with the community and council members alike. I am grateful to have been mentored by Bill Harrison and have appreciated his wisdom and friendship over these many years.”
Harrison was the 53rd commander at Fort Lewis. A three-star general at the end of his career, Harrison served 37 years in the Army. It was a job that took his family – including his late wife Jo and sons Bill and Charlie – around the world. He was assigned to commands in Korea, Italy, Vietnam, Germany, and Iran.
Harrison served back-to-back tours in Vietnam as the sector and regimental adviser in II Corps during the war, earning the Distinguished Service Medal, the Bronze Star, and a combat infantryman badge.
He was also awarded Order of National Security Merit Cheonsu Medal by the Republic of South Korea. He earned the expert infantryman badge, Master Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge and received Korean and Canadian parachutist badges.
He later was briefer for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, commanded the Seventh Infantry Division and assembled the Army’s first light infantry division.
Harrison was the commanding general for I Corps and Fort Lewis from 1987 to 1989 and commanded the Sixth United States Army from 1989 to 1991.
He and his family found their way back to Lakewood in 1993 when he retired from the military.
Two years later he quickly became the face of Lakewood when the newly formed City Council unanimously elected him as the fledgling city’s first mayor.
After retiring from public office, Harrison remained active in Lakewood and on JBLM. He attended nearly every memorial for fallen military service members where he’d offer a final salute.
The JBLM Civilian Hall of Fame Lieutenant General Bill Harrison Service Award program was created in his name in 2003 to recognize community members who have contributed to the community, and who through their efforts, made an exceptional impact on service members, military families, or the JBLM community.
The new headquarters of the 7th Infantry Division, Harrison Hall, was named for Harrison in 2015. That same year, the Clover Park School District named the Lieutenant General William H. Harrison Preparatory School after Harrison.
“Lieutenant General Bill Harrison leaves behind a legacy of unparalleled service and dedication,” said City Manager John Caulfield. “His contributions to our nation, our armed forces, the Lakewood community, and the countless lives he touched are immeasurable. He exemplified integrity, courage, and compassion in everything he did. He will be greatly missed, though his spirit and memory will continue with those who he mentored and inspired.”
The City has directed that the United States, Washington State and City of Lakewood flags at all city facilities be lowered to half-staff in memory of Lieutenant General (LTG) William “Bill” Harrison beginning Tuesday, February 20, 2024 through Thursday, February 22, 2024.
I am proud to have served under General Harrison at both Ft. Ord and Ft. Lewis. I was also a beneficiary of his leadership as a member of the Lakewood community. My personal encounters with him will always be cherished. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. RIP, Sir..🇺🇸
Uncharacteristically, I will keep my comments short to leave room for others to share their thoughts.
I was present for all four efforts to incorporate as a city.
After Bill Harrison led us to cityhood, I had occasions to cross paths with the General as a citizen and in my city support role as a Pierce County Deputy serving in Lakewood’s first contract police department.
Lieutenant General (LTG) William “Bill” Harrison, you were always helpful, kind, visionary, and overall simply amazing. You will be missed. I salute you, sir.
Staff Sergeant Joseph Boyle
General and Mrs Harrison were good and gracious friends. We became friends when our youngest daughter became friends with their son Charlie in high school. Mrs Harrison was especially kind to our daughter over the years and our friendship grew over the years. I was especially impressed with the love between them as it mirrored the relationship my husband and I have.
He was such an asset to our community and his dedication was immeasurable!
Rest in peace. Thank you for your kindness over the years.
Pat
General-Mayor-Magnificent Fellow William Harding “Bill” Harrison leaves behind a proud legacy of service. For all of his vision, authority, devotion and command he was thoroughly a gentleman of exemplary regard and concern for others, accessible, attentive, thoughtful and caring. Fortunate are we that General Harrison came to Fort Lewis to follow distinguished military service with civic passion. For, with Andie Gernon’s co-chair endeavor, it was Mayor Harrison’s leadership that overcame doubt and defiance to win the recognition due that we may carry forward from his day. As foremost Bill Harrison leaves to us a city, challenged and worthy of his confidence and conviction that we shall honor by our service all that he helped us build.
LTG Harrison was one of the greatest Commanders and Americans of our time. As the 7th (L) ID Commander he was tasked by the USA to take 7th Infantry Division, Fort Ord, California and convert the Division to Light Infantry. General Harrison knew to obtain this goal he had to pick Soldiers that were identified as the best-of-the-best of the US Army.
The results from these selections were many future CSM’s, Command Warrants and many-many General Officers. I’ve reached out to Light Fighters to obtain a list of those successes and accomplishments; the list sounds like to Who’s-Who of the Army. When developing the new 7th (L) Light Infantry countries from around the world were watching this transition with great interest, especially the Soviet Union. We had over 12 Chiefs of Staff from foreign countries visit the post and talk with General Harrison. This put a real scare into Soviet Union and those countries who hated the USA. Imagine deploying over 12,000 Soldiers that were led by E-5 and above that were Ranger qualified. We did PT every day or once a week did road marches. When the Command said we are going to have PT Test for record many of us would say, it’s easy PT Day! During PT in the morning 06:00am we would see General Harrison run by us while we were in formation, he was 54 years old at the time. We knew if he could do it, so could we! The end result of this task was one of the finest US Army Division ever created. General Harrison called us all “Light Fighters”, from this the Army came up with “Warfighters”! Looking back, I understand why we were called the Best-of-Best, even the 82nd didn’t like us. I have a couple of hundred stories I could tell you about General Harrison and Jo his wife; maybe one day. He will be missed but I and those who call themselves “Light Fighters” will see him again one day! Hoo-Ahh!
The definition of involved citizen! Over the years, a few simple contacts. I was NOT a supporter of Cityhood even having lived my whole life within Lakewood. In a pre-incorporation conversation, he sincerely thanked me for my opinion in a gracious manner.
While to this day I am not happy that the City Council does not represent geographical districts, General Harrison DID represent ALL of Lakewood.
General Harrison had an amazing career serving our Nation, and our community. I had the opportunity to visit with him when he attended Harrison Prep graduations. He was always very supportive of our students. He was also a table sponsor for the Pierce County Prayer Breakfast and attended many breakfasts over the years. His presence will be missed but may he rest in peace.
I was saddened to learn of LTG Harrison’s passing. It was an honor to serve at Ft. Ord in the 519th Maint. Co. under his leadership and participate in the phase of becoming a Lightfighter. Truly a man of honor, integrity and outstanding leadership whom knew how to obtain results. My condolences to his family , friends and the town of Lakewood.
I’d like to extend my deepest sympathy and condolences to Mr. Harrison’s family, friends and colleagues in their time of sorrow. I’d also like to express my gratitude for his service to our nation, and to the city of Lakewood.
Somehow my comments @ Bill Harrison & our partnership in Incorporating Lakewood and supporting the city to become what it is today
As Post Commander, General Harrison came for inspection of 2nd Ranger Battalion.
As a Specialist E4 Team Leader, I was filling in for our Squad Leader who was away.
General Harrison approached our squad and equipment lay-out in the quad and inquired as to the whereabouts of our squad leader.
I said , “Sir, I am the “acting” Squad Leader.”
He asked, “Are you the squad leader, or are you just acting?”
Remaining rigid at attention, I responded, “I AM the squad leader Sir!”
He nodded, and moved on to the next display.
As a junior soldier, that brief moment changed my entire perspective on leadership.
Thank you, and rest in peace, Sir.
Didn’t know Lt.Gen.Harrison personally but I did know he and my father were friends/ acquaintances, the late Command Sergeant Major J.B. Layne. I know my father would had respect and I would like to give condolences to the Harrison family from the Layne family. Rest in Peace soldier and give my father a hug for his family.
Respectfully,
Johnny Layne
Johnny, I know Mayor Harrison conferred with your father and respected him quite a bit – your father was also a great resource for the Lakewood Journal, the local newspaper which we had at the time. My sympathies at his passing. J.B. too contributed to Lakewood.
When I ran for Lakewood City Council in 2003 at Mayor Harrison’s suggestion, I would ask people what they thought of the relatively new city government. About half of the people responded with what they thought of Mayor Harrison. He and the new city were inseparable, and his leadership drove the city for its first many miles. I will never forget him asking at an early meeting how our city could distinguish itself in listening to citizens.
Day in and day out for years, he earned his place in the city’s history as a Founder with capital F.
Reading through all the well-deserved comments, one thing we should put on the record was his care of his wife, Jo. Jo of course was an unsung hero of cityhood, always present for what Bill was doing. Later on, she had the same illness of aging that my mother had, and so I personally sympathize with the Herculean task of caring for someone who could be in slow and yet dramatic decline. Over those years, I remember telling my wife that a man who had been General Harrison and then Mayor Harrison had graduated into someone superhuman. His care of Jo was magnificent.