Pastor turns diary into autobiography


Bill Harris composes
3-volume recollection
of ministry for family

By Claudia M. Williams
Staff Writer
When the Rev. William M. “Bill” Harris made the first entry into his journal in 1954, he began building a 51-year collection of daily reflections on his days and ministry.
Now retired, Harris, 79, spends much of his time at his Austin home compiling those daily notes into a thousand-page autobiography.
“This project has been the dominant focus of my retirement,” Harris said. “Writing my memoirs is an exciting undertaking. I have ample and specific information to explore.”
Harris’ memories span a pastoral career that began at St. Mark’s UMC, Houston, in 1949 and ended officially in 1988 at Northwest Hills UMC, Austin. He transferred from the Texas Conference to the Southwest Texas Conference in 1960.
In Southwest Texas Harris served congregations in Austin, Harlingen, San Angelo and San Antonio. He was Austin District superintendent from 1971 to 1977 and conference council on ministries director in San Antonio from 1977 to 1983.
“My book will be in three volumes,” said Harris, noting that Volumes I and II are already published and that Volume III should be completed soon. “My writing is only for me, my family and interested friends.”
Harris and his wife, Lib, are members of St. John’s UMC, Austin.
“Lib and I have been blessed with good health and are able to be relatively active,” he said. “In a spectrum of ‘go-go, slow-go and no-go,’ we are now in the ‘slow-go’ range.”
Still, in retirement Harris said he’s as busy as he was as a pastor.
“But now I am able to enjoy in quality time doing things I choose to do,” he said.
In addition to writing his memoirs, Harris is involved in a number of organizations, including the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless; “Old Worn Out Preachers,” a informal support group for Austin retirees; MEG, a support group for Marriage Enrichment; and a Clergy Support Group that has been together for 20 years.
On the lighter side, Harris’ two grown children and two grandchildren, both in college, are nearby.
“We glory in them,” he said.
The Harrises also enjoy the Austin Symphony and special events at the University of Texas at Austin.
The son of a Methodist preacher in the Texas Conference, Harris said the church has been good to him for his 79 years.
“I glory in my parsonage life as a child and youth, later in all my appointments, and now in these years of retirement,” he said.
Nevertheless, he has some worries.
“I am concerned about our Methodism losing its liturgy, hymnody and our tradition,” he said. “Change need not neglect or replace the treasures of the past. Worship is not entertainment. God is the audience in our worship—not us! Applause in our services causes me to wince.”
Between community affairs, changes in the church and his aging process, Harris said he has much to worry about.
“But not only is there faith and love, but always there is hope,” he said. “For the future there is hope. To be sure, there are glaring, flashing warning signs. Nevertheless, we have faith because ‘with God all things are possible!’”